Victoria Atkins, the Shadow Environment Secretary and former barrister, is voicing significant concerns over recent government policies that she believes threaten the fabric of rural communities in Britain. With a background in prosecuting serious crime, Atkins has transitioned into a political role where she is now focusing on issues impacting agriculture and family farms.
In the wake of a recent change in inheritance tax laws introduced by the Labour government, which assigns a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets valued over £1 million, Atkins claims that many are feeling a deep sense of betrayal. Speaking to the Express, she described the dread permeating farming families, stating, “It is widespread and it is genuine.” The looming implementation of this policy in April next year has led to troubling discussions among families about the potential financial burden posed by the tax. She recounted an encounter with a distressed farmer who expressed despair about the future, saying, “If there was a rope in the corner of this room I would use it.”
Atkins, who previously held significant roles within the Conservative government—such as overseeing Afghan resettlement, prisons, and health—now contends that the new Labour administration represents a harmful shift away from the more moderate policies of past Labour leaders like Tony Blair. “But we learned within a matter of weeks that this is full-throated Old Labour,” she asserted.
Her concerns extend beyond inheritance tax. Atkins critiques the current Labour leadership for being predominantly composed of "city MPs" who she argues lack an understanding of rural realities. This disconnect, she asserts, is evident in Labour's cancellation of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, which previously incentivised farmers to engage in environmentally friendly practices, a move she believes further alienates agricultural communities.
Additionally, Atkins expresses apprehension regarding the push for net-zero policies articulated by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. She fears that the installation of solar panels and wind turbines on prime agricultural land could jeopardise Britain’s food security. “Once a field has been plastered in solar panels, there is very little that can be grown on it afterwards,” she warned.
In her role, she is also addressing environmental issues, particularly concerning sewage pollution in British rivers and coastal waters. Atkins has remarked on the infrastructure challenges facing sewage systems, noting, “It pretty much comes down to the way in which our sewage system has been constructed over the last century.” She highlights the importance of properly communicating the complexities involved in addressing these ecological concerns.
Atkins holds a vision of the Conservatives as custodians of the environment, emphasising their commitment to conservation and the protection of the countryside for future generations. She stated, “We are the Conservatives because we believe in conserving that of which we are proud.”
The ongoing discourse around these subjects underscores growing concerns regarding the government's approach to rural welfare and environmental protection, an issue set to remain a focal point as policies evolve under Labour's leadership.
Source: Noah Wire Services