All Governments have to make tough decisions. Faced with a £22 billion black hole, Labour has chosen to raise taxes on only the very wealthiest. The Conservatives’ record was instead to choose to place the burden on the poorest in society—those with disabilities and those who are very young. In fact, I am seeing that in real time in Derbyshire, as the Conservative leader of Derbyshire county council has chosen not to spend his time dealing with the disastrous recent Ofsted report on the sorry state of special education needs and disabilities provisions in Derbyshire affecting thousands of vulnerable children, or trying to deal with the terrible county finances which it is trying to plug by closing much-loved care homes, again leaving some very vulnerable people with an uncertain future. Where was he? He was marching with wealthy landowners down here in London. I ask the shadow Minister what she thinks first attracted various multimillionaires in various industries to suddenly discover a passion for farming and buy farms in their late middle age.
I had thought that the Conservatives would want to discuss the huge challenges facing our NHS, the cost of living crisis affecting so many of my constituents or their failed track record in delivering vital regional infrastructure; but no, we have had silence on those issues. What has got them out literally marching on the
streets is a rush to defend multimillionaires. My constituents can see what is the No. 1 priority, and it is not the same as theirs. Let us be clear: retaining the status quo, for which the Conservatives are arguing, would see 7% of claimants receiving 40% of the relief. That is £219 million given to just 117 estates. Why should 117 of the richest get £219 million in tax relief, and not ordinary families?
One would have thought that, after such a profound rejection of their party’s record in government back in July, the Conservatives would have taken some time to listen to the electorate and learn. The electorate saw that this Labour party was different, and voted us in. Perhaps the Conservatives should take a closer look—and here I include the hon. Member for Perth and Kinross-shire (Pete Wishart). Many of my colleagues are deeply rooted in their rural communities, and I myself come from a family of farmers. In fact, I spent most of my family Sunday lunch listening to an in-depth monologue on SFI technical details, which was of course very welcome. While the Conservatives are rushing to defend the wealthiest in society, we in Labour will be focusing on what matters to rural communities: access to rural health facilities, a record £5 billion for farmers, a new commissioner for tenant farmers—which is fantastic—a new rural crime strategy, and protecting farmers from bad trade deals.
Coming from a family of farmers, I know a wolf in sheep’s clothing when I see one. However much the Conservatives bleat about standing up for farmers, their bushy tails and terrible record for farming over the past 14 years tell me otherwise. I will always fight for farmers, to improve farming incomes and to support farming communities. That is my priority, and it is the priority of this Government.
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