Markus Campbell-Savours, the Labour Member of Parliament for Penrith and Solway, has renewed calls for the government to abandon a recently introduced family farm tax, reversing agricultural property relief. The tax, which carries a 20 percent levy on farmers’ assets exceeding £2.5 million, was initially proposed with a lower threshold of £1 million before being adjusted upward.

Campbell-Savours, who was the sole Labour MP to oppose the tax when it was voted on in December, faced disciplinary action from his party, resulting in the temporary withdrawal of the Labour whip for over three months. Despite this, he has continued to campaign against the policy, urging Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reconsider the government’s stance.

He described the policy as a significant concern for farming families, emphasizing that many are worried about how the tax will affect the transfer of sustainable farm businesses to the next generation. The levy’s introduction followed Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement of the tax reform, which aims to increase revenue but has drawn criticism from farming communities and some within Labour.

Government officials have argued that the tax is a necessary measure to address wealth distribution and support public finances. However, opponents contend that it could threaten the viability of family-run farms and disrupt agricultural operations that have been maintained across generations.

As the debate continues, Campbell-Savours’ position highlights internal divisions within the Labour Party and ongoing apprehension within rural constituencies about the long-term consequences of the new family farm tax.