Ministers have been engaging with farming activists to mend relations that soured due to tax changes introduced under Keir Starmer. Olly Harrison, an arable farmer, received an unexpected WhatsApp message from Andy Burnham while he was campaigning for the Makerfield byelection. Harrison noted that this outreach signifies a shift in approach towards farmers, stating, "He’s trying to meet farmers, he wants to meet up."
Context of the Situation
Under the Starmer administration, farmers faced new taxes, including an unpopular inheritance tax. Harrison expressed that communication between the government and agricultural workers had been virtually nonexistent. However, Burnham has indicated a desire to improve this relationship, stating during a visit this summer that the government has a "long way to go to build back trust" with farmers and emphasized the need to "guarantee our own food production."
Recent Developments
Harrison was part of a group of activist farmers who protested against the 2024 budget. This group, which included Jeremy Clarkson, drove tractors into Westminster to voice their concerns over the new taxes, arguing that they could lead to farm closures as tax bills would exceed revenues. Their protests attracted crowds of tens of thousands, making them a significant presence in the political landscape.
Burnham's team appears to recognize the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with this vocal community. Notably, there are no planned protests by farmers for this year’s budget, suggesting that some progress has been made. However, the relationship remains fragile. According to the Office for National Statistics, a record 6,300 forestry, fishing, and farming businesses closed last year, a situation some attribute to the tax changes, alongside extreme weather and rising inflation.
