Rachel Reeves and Keir Starmer leave the future of British agriculture at stake | Politics

Last week I had the privilege of welcoming farmers from North Shropshire to Parliament. Among the sea of protesters who rallied against the family farm tax were a very large number of my constituents – not surprising given the thousand or so farms we have here and the huge impact of Labour’s proposed changes to IHT on our region.

These hardworking farmers are the backbone of rural communities like mine, and their concerns deserve to be heard loud and clear. Changes to farm taxes, introduced as part of the Labor budget, pose a direct threat to the future of family farming.

Increasing IHT for family farmers will significantly increase the financial burden of passing on their farms and homes to the next generation. In North Shropshire alone, we estimate that almost 300 farms will be affected, putting livelihoods and the sustainability of our agricultural sector at risk.

Many farms in our area already operate on thin margins and this additional tax could mean the end of countless family businesses. I launched a petition against this unfair policy, which has already been signed by 500 rural people. But it’s not just about taxes.

Farmers face a perfect storm of challenges: skyrocketing energy costs, trade deals hurting UK producers, record temperatures and a botched transition to the basic payment system. Next year, direct payments will be cut by 76%, leaving farmers without the vital support they need to stay afloat.

Our farmers deserve better. The unfair trade deals were a betrayal by the Conservatives. Today, Labor is doubling down on policies that demonstrate a complete disregard for the realities of rural life and the brutal economics of farming.

It’s time for a change. I call on the Government to cancel this disastrous tax, end the reckless phasing out of payments and work with farmers (not against them) to ensure they can feed the nation and care for our environment .

The future of British agriculture is at stake and I will not stop fighting to protect it.

Helen Morgan is the Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire