Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch MP visited a Petersfield farm this morning (Monday, September 15) to warn that Labour’s proposed family farm tax would damage rural livelihoods.

She was joined by East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds as she met with local farmers to discuss the potential impact of the policy, which would end agricultural property relief on inheritance tax, meaning farmland could face crippling duties when passed between generations.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch with East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds during a visit to the Petersfield farm of James and Harry Stanbridge.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch with East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds during a visit to the Petersfield farm of Peter and Harry Stanbridge. (Paul Ferguson/Tindle)

Ms Badenoch spoke with farmer Peter Stanbridge and his son Harry, who work land near Petersfield Heath.

“My concern is that if we stop talking about it, people will forget about this,” she said. “So every other week I try to go to a different farm in a different part of the country — sometimes an arable farm, sometimes a dairy farm like this one.”

The Conservative leader pledged that a Tory government would scrap the family farm tax if elected.

More to follow.