Havant MP Alan Mak joins farmers in protest against Labour's unfair family farm tax
Havant MP Alan Mak has joined thousands of farmers and other MPs in Westminster to protest against Labour's unfair family farm tax.
Despite Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Environment Secretary Steve Reed previously promising to protect farmers, more than 100,000 farms will be hit by new inheritance tax laws.
They will be devastating for family farms and pose a serious risk to domestic food security and food prices.
Farmers from across the country, including Sam Wilson from Stoke Fruit Farm on Hayling Island, gathered in Westminster to make their feelings known to the Labour Government.
A petition at stopthefarmtax.com has also been set up for people to back British farming and oppose the new tax.
Mr Mak said: "Our farmers are stewards of our environment, growers of our food and vital small businesses in our communities.
"But Labour’s ideological decision to target farmers – despite promising not to do so – has the potential to wreck farmers' lives and the whole industry.
"Not only have they underestimated and undervalued the farms affected by this harsh new tax, but the knock-on effects for the whole country could be disastrous.
"It's why I stood beside our farmers to show the Labour Government they have made not only a bad decision, but the wrong decision."
He added: "I will remain committed to helping local farmers fight this harsh new tax and the protest shows Keir Starmer how poor his judgment is.
"I would also urge people to sign the petition at stopthefarmtax.com."