Member

In conclusion, this new clause is about fairness, realism and respect. It recognises Northern Ireland’s disproportionate contribution to the UK, which I am very proud of. It gives the Government the evidence they need to get this right. Supporting it means supporting farmers, protecting rural communities and safeguarding the UK’s food supply. I also want to raise something that is of psychological value. We are having this debate tonight, but not one of us has said anything about the psychological impact and the body blow that this has caused to farming communities across the UK. They felt genuinely unneeded. They felt undervalued. In fact, they felt a burden. They felt that this tax raid was being done to them, and I am not sure what they ever did to deserve it. That is why I will continue to oppose the family farm tax in its entirety.