Keir Starmer compelled distance himself from ex-Labour adviser’s declare that Britain ‘does not want small farmers’ and PM can ‘do to farmers what Margaret Thatcher did to miners’
Sir Keir Starmer was today forced to distance himself from an ex-Labour adviser’s claim that Britain ‘doesn’t need small farmers’ and could ‘do without’ the industry.
The PM dismissed a suggestion by John McTernan, a former top aide to Tony Blair, that Labour could do to farmers ‘what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners’.
The senior Labour figure, a prominent supporter of Sir Keir, had sparked outrage among farming groups and senior Tories with his remarks.
It came amid growing anger at what has been dubbed Labour’s ‘family farms tax’.
Sir Keir has been caught up in a row after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced controversial changes to inheritance tax at last month’s Budget.
Labour’s plans have caused uproar among farmers, with the PM and Chancellor warned they will devastate many family-run farms.
Farmers are set to stage protests in London on 19 November against the Budget measures.
Sir Keir Starmer has been forced to distance himself from an ex-Labour adviser’s claim that Britain ‘doesn’t need small farmers’ and could ‘do without’ the industry
The PM dismissed a suggestion by John McTernan, a former top aide to Tony Blair, that Labour could do to farmers ‘what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners’
Sir Keir has been caught up in a row after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced controversial changes to inheritance tax at last month’s Budget
Appearing on GB News last night, Mr McTernan denied Labour were harming themselves after winning a series of rural seats at July’s general election.
‘Most people in rural seats aren’t farmers. But those who are farmers and small farmers won’t actually be affected by this change,’ he said.
The ex-Downing Street aide added: ‘Farmers still get a privileged status for their farms, that may or may not be right.
‘I’m personally in favour of doing, if farmers want to go on the streets, we can do to them what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners.’
Asked to clarify his remarks, Mr McTernan replied: ‘It’s an industry we could do without… close down the industry.’
‘If people are so upset they want to go on the streets and spray slurry on them, then we don’t need the small farmers,’ he added.
Quizzed this morning at the COP29 climate summit in Azerbaijan about whether he shared Mr McTernan’s views, Sir Keir said: ‘I totally disagree.’
Speaking at a press conference in Baku, the PM added: ‘I’m absolutely committed to supporting our farmers – I said that before the election and I say it after the election.
‘That is why in our Budget last week I was very pleased that we’re investing £5billion of our Budget over the next two years into farming.
‘That is really important for our farmers and I will do everything I can to support them.
‘Because I think it’s essential that they not only prosper but prosper well into the future. So I totally disagree with those comments.’
Countryside groups, farming campaigners and senior Tories had hit back at Mr McTernan’s comments.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs for the Countryside Alliance, said: ‘It’s incredibly concerning to think that there are people out there that get some sort of ideological kick out of wanting to do down farmers.
‘And even more shocking that they can get so close to the reins of power. This intervention only adds to a growing PR crisis for the Treasury.
‘Mr McTernan is, however, in a minority and farmers and their families know the public object to views like this and support them and all their hard work fully.’
Tory MP Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said Labour’s changes to inheritance tax were ‘born of bitterness and envy’.
Andrew RT Davies, leader of the Welsh Conservatives, said: ‘These comments are disgraceful but are sadly indicative of how many people in the Labour Party seem to feel.
‘It’s clear that for many on the Left, the anti-farmer agenda is a new frontier in the class war, whereby farmers are being punished for not sharing the metropolitan worldviews of those in London and other cities.
‘I will always stand with our farmers, because like most people in Britain, I know that no farmers means no food.’
Nigel Owens, the former rugby union referee who owns a cattle farm, branded Mr McTernan a ‘clown’.
Under Labour’s plans, agricultural assets worth more than £1million will no longer be exempt from inheritance tax.
Sir Keir and Ms Reeves have been warned the measures, slated to come into force in April 2026, will ruin many family-run farms.
It has been claimed that a number of farmers are now looking to sell off land because they believe the new tax rules threaten the viability of their farms.
Previously, agricultural property tax relief allowed family farms – including land, buildings, and housing – to pass between generations tax-free.
From April 2026, a tax of 20 per cent will be raised on the value of inherited farming assets above £1 million – although the Chancellor has said that in some cases the threshold could in practice be about £3million.
While this still represents a tax relief of 50 per cent compared with the standard rate, the move has been attacked by farming unions and MPs who have argued it would make Britain more reliant on imports.
Mr McTernan served as Mr Blair’s director of political operations while he was PM.
