A Cumbrian Labour MP has voted against his party’s plan to impose inheritance tax on farms worth over £1 million.
Markus Campbell-Savours, who represents Penrith & Solway, spoke in the House of Commons last night before MPs voted on the resolution.
He said he had previously voiced concerns about the plans, promised farmers that agricultural property relief would not be touched.
He said: “In last year’s Opposition Day Debate on Farming and Inheritance Tax, I set out my concerns.
“Over the course of a debate that has raged for more than a year, members across the House have made the case against these changes.
“Changes which leave many — not least elderly farmers yet to make arrangements to transfer assets — devastated at the impact on their family farms.
“Colleagues will agree it is the privilege of a lifetime to be elected to this place.
“Perhaps more so for those of us representing the communities we are from.
“And when the good people of Penrith & Solway decide my time here is up, I intend to walk around my community knowing I did all I could for them.
“But I cannot do that knowing that my constituencies 1,665 farms, the farm workers, and the supply chains that depend on them were let down. Knowing that I broke my word.”
He was the only Labour MP in the country to vote against the plans.
Cumbria’s other Labour MPs – Josh MacAlister (Whitehaven & Workington), Julie Minns (Carlisle) and Michelle Scrogham (Barrow and Furness) voted in favour.
Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale, also voted against.
Lizzi Collinge, Labour MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, abstained.
Yesterday, the National Farmers Union had urged Labour MPs to abstain from the vote.
Mr Campbell-Savours said many of his farming constituents emailed urging him to abstain, but he decided to go a step further.
However, the Government’s plans were backed by the majority of MPs, with 322 voting in favour and 181against.
Before the election, many farmers feared this was coming. Some transferred in advance. Others contacted Labour candidates, who reassured them based on public commitments from the then Shadow Secretary of State for DEFRA that APR would not be touched.
I was one of those Labour candidates. And it is for that reason I will be voting against the budget resolution enabling these changes.
I am not yet clear on the budget resolution grouping, but I would be grateful to be given the opportunity to vote specifically on Resolution 50.
I gave my word, and I intend to keep it.”
(Ends)
