Thank you to all NFU Cymru members who continue to actively campaign on this crucial issue. Every email, letter, conversation, farm visit and meeting really makes a difference.
The vote wasn't binding, but abstentions demonstrate that backbench MPs oppose the current policy, putting more pressure on the government to make amendments.
The NFU and NFU Cymru were made aware that the Speaker of the House of Commons had selected the provision which sets out the inheritance tax changes within the Budget Resolution for an imminent vote in the Chamber. This provision, ‘Resolution 50’, was put to vote alongside those normally voted on, such as those affecting income tax and other duties.
Though the Speaker’s choice is his alone and only he will know his reasons behind the decision, in the past the selection of resolutions like this are often a reflection of social and political tension surrounding a particular government policy found within the wider Budget Resolution. With all opposition parties and the British public against the Family Farm Tax, in hindsight it is of little surprise that the Speaker’s Office selected the changes to IHT for specific scrutiny.
NFU Cymru lobbying
While only a procedural vote that informs the subsequent Finance Bill rather than one dictating taxation and government spending changes, the vote on ‘Resolution 50’ of this year’s Budget Resolution - and the reforms to the inheritance tax laws within it – was identified by the union as a pivotal opportunity to put further pressure on the UK Government. The NFU and NFU Cymru lobbying machine quickly kicked into action - an immediate call to action was made for members in constituencies represented by Labour MPs email their MP to ask them to abstain in the Tuesday 2 December vote.
Meanwhile, a letter penned by NFU Cymru President Aled Jones was emailed to all Welsh MPs, which outlined that the Chancellor’s budget changes did not address the pernicious position facing the elderly and terminally ill who remain caught out by the anti-forestalling clause. In his letter, the NFU Cymru President urged all 32 Welsh MPs to vote against or abstain in the House of Commons vote due to take place later that evening.
Vote shows strength of feeling
Although the UK Government’s resolution was agreed, over 30 Labour MPs abstained on the vote.
This included three Welsh Labour MPs:
Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower),
Henry Tufnell (Mid and South Pembrokeshire)
Steve Witherden (Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr).
Elsewhere, Penrith and Solway MP Markus Campbell-Savours had the Labour Whip withdrawn as a result of voting against the government having committed to do so in 2024 after meeting with local NFU members and farmers during the election campaign
NFU Cymru said the vote from Labour MPs was significant and showed ‘the true strength of feeling against this awful policy’.
NFU Cymru President Aled Jones said: “I’d like to thank all the Labour MPs who have stood up to show that they cannot support this pernicious policy. These MPs are the rural representatives of the Labour Party. They represent the working people of the countryside and have spoken up on behalf of their constituents. It is vital that the Chancellor and Prime Minister listen to the clear message they have delivered this evening.
“I’d also like to thank the farmers and growers who took the time to engage with their MPs to get the message out there.”