𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Labour MP Markus Campbell-Savours has had the party whip suspended after rebelling against the Government in the Budget vote, it is understood.

The MP for Penrith and Solway was the only backbencher from the ruling party who voted against the budget motion on inheritance tax for farmers on Tuesday night.

The National Farmers Union had urged Labour MPs to abstain from the vote.

But MPs voted 327 to 182, majority 145, in support of the Government’s plans to slap inheritance tax on farms worth over £1 million.

Mr Campbell-Savours told the Commons he had to do all he could for his community.

Speaking in the Commons Budget debate on Tuesday, Mr Campbell-Savours said: “There remain deep concerns about the proposed changes to agricultural property relief (APR).

“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.

“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’s for that reason I’ll be voting against the Budget resolution enabling these changes.”

Mr Campbell-Savours said he wants to be able to walk around his community “knowing I did all I could for them”, and could not do so if he broke his word.

In the Budget, the Chancellor announced that any of a £1 million APR and business property relief allowance that goes unused will be transferable between spouses and civil partners.

But this has not stopped criticism from the farming community, which has fiercely opposed the changes since they were proposed in last year’s budget, with the introduction of a 20% rate on agricultural land and businesses worth more than £1 million.

Victoria Atkins MP, Shadow Environment Secretary, said: “Labour has continued their assault on farmers and family businesses by suspending their only MP who dared to vote against their vindictive Family Farm and Business Taxes. After their Budget for Benefits Street and cementing their death tax, this Government has promised higher taxes, higher unemployment and depleting food security. Only the Conservatives will stand up for our rural and agricultural communities and axe the Family Farm and Business Taxes.”

Tim Bonner, of the Countryside Alliance, said: “Let’s remember that the family farm tax was not in Labour’s manifesto and the party had promised not to change APR before the election. Labour is punishing someone for staying loyal to the platform he stood on.”

The Daily Express Save Britain’s Family Farms crusade has demanded a U-turn.