The Labour leadership of Cheshire West and Chester Council have confirmed they ‘don’t care’ about local farmers, following a decision to take ‘no further action’ in response to an attempt last year to debate the impact of the government’s detrimental changes to ‘Inheritance Tax Relief’.
Cheshire West and Chester Council Conservative Group tabled a motion for debate at the full Council meeting held on 12 December 2024 which called for the following action:
This Council resolves to: Request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Secretary of State for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to outline the Council’s dismay at this decision and call on the Government to stop the Family Farm Tax.’
Using their (then) majority, the Labour leadership of the Council blocked the subject from even being debated. The Chairman of the Council subsequently referred the matter to the relevant Cabinet Member for action, in this instance Cllr Carol Gahan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Legal. At a briefing for the Shadow Conservative Team held on Wednesday 2nd July 2025, and confirmed the following day, it was advised that ‘no letter is being sent.’
Commenting, Cllr Adrian Waddelove (Con, Farndon), Leader of the Conservative Group, said:
“Cheshire has a long and proud history of farming; agriculture has been the backbone of our rural economy. Local Conservatives have always backed our important and fantastic farming community. That’s why we sought to debate the impact of Labour’s ‘family farm tax’ back in December 2024, which the ruling group arrogantly swept aside and wouldn’t even allow a debate on the matter. That was despite the attendance of local farmers prior to the meeting, who joined us in Winsford with a tractor to highlight the strength of feeling and concern.
“Now, not content with closing down debate, we have learnt that the Cabinet member who could have taken the simple action of writing a letter to her Secretary of State, has chosen not to do so. The message is loud and clear: Labour in Cheshire West and Chester just don’t care about our vital farming community. Local Conservatives will always stand up and speak up for our local farmers.”
Chester South & Eddisbury MP, Aphra Brandreth, has campaigned relentlessly in Parliament to reverse the Labour Government’s damaging policy against our family farms.
Responding to this latest dismissive approach from the Labour Party locally, Aphra Brandreth MP said:
“In ignoring calls from Cheshire West and Chester Conservatives to support local farmers and stand up against the Family Farm Tax, we have now seen the same total disregard and attack on our agricultural and rural community by Labour locally, as we have seen nationally.
“Farmers are the lifeblood of this country, and our local farmers in Cheshire are some of the hardest working people I know and they deserve to be heard. Yet with Cheshire West and Chester Labour they have been ignored. The Family Farm Tax risks the future of farming in Cheshire. This impacts us all. From the impact on food security and rising prices for the consumer, to the stewardship of our countryside and the impact on the local economy farming has, this policy’s consequences have a far reach.
“I look forward to working closely with Cheshire West and Chester Conservatives as we campaign for a reversal of the Family Farm Tax and give Cheshire farmers a voice.”
Responding further, Cllr Simon Eardley (Con, Saughall & Mollington), Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, said:
“Coming from a family of Cheshire dairy farmers, I know that farming isn’t just a job. It’s a way of life. It shapes our countryside, puts food on our tables, and keeps rural communities alive. But right now, farmers are being squeezed from every side - rising costs, endless red tape, and now Labour’s Family Farm Tax. A policy that punishes farmers who have handed down farms from generation to generation.
Many can’t afford to, are having to sell land to pay the tax, meaning they have to stop farming. Government policy is failing them. And when we lose farms, we don’t just lose food. We lose control over how we feed our country.”
