Fury as Tony Blair's ex-adviser claims Labour can 'do to farmers what Margaret Thatcher did to miners' and says Britain 'doesn't need small farms'

A senior Labour figure has sparked outrage by claiming Britain 'doesn't need small farmers' and could 'do without' the industry. John McTernan, a former top aide to Tony Blair and a key supporter of Sir Keir Starmer, said the PM could do to farmers 'what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners'. Farming groups and Tory MPs reacted with fury to Mr McTernan's comments, which came amid growing anger at what has been dubbed Labour's 'family farms tax'. Sir Keir has been caught up in a row after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced controversial changes to inheritance tax at last month's Budget. Appearing on GB News last night, John McTernan denied Labour were harming themselves after winning a series of rural seats at July's general election Sir Keir Starmer has been caught up in a row after Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced controversial changes to inheritance tax at last month's Budget Sir Keir and Ms Reeves have been warned their measures, slated to come into force in April 2026, will ruin many family-run farms Appearing on GB News last night, Mr McTernan denied Labour were harming themselves after winning a series of rural seats at July's general election.