A FORMER senior adviser to Tony Blair has said “we don’t need small farmers” during a discussion on GB News.
John McTernan, a still influential figure in Labour who was the ex-prime minister’s political secretary, made the remark while discussing the planned protests by farmers over the inheritance tax rises announced in Rachel Reeves’ Budget.
The decision means farmers will have to pay 20 per cent of tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m from April 2026 – and has been called the “tractor tax” as a result, with the industry warning it could lead to farm closures and threaten UK food security.
McTernan told GB News: “If the farmers want to go on the streets - we can do to them what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners.”
He added: “It’s an industry we can do without.
“If people are so upset that they want to go on the streets and spread slurry then we don’t need small farmers.”
The comments sparked anger, including among farmers.
Gareth Wyn Jones, a farmer in North Wales, told The Independent: “Oh my God, how crazy is he?
“Be careful my friend, you might be just awakening a sleeping giant, a sleeping giant that is feeding you every day.”
Can we get clarification here please from @AnasSarwar , is the Labour Party in Scotland position saying that we can do without small farmers, or is that only in England? Does McTernan speak for Labour in Scotland? https://t.co/MRuQdHFxUP
— Jim Fairlie MSP SNP (@JimFairlieLogie) November 12, 2024
Jim Fairlie, Scotland’s agriculture minister, asked for clarification (above) from Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
He asked: “Is the Labour Party in Scotland position saying that we can do without small farmers, or is that only in England? Does McTernan speak for Labour in Scotland?
