Outlandish comments from former Labour adviser John McTernan have added fuel to the fire in the ongoing budget disputes between the farming sector and government.

Speaking on GB News McTernan called on the Labour government to “do what Thatcher did to the coal miners.”

During her tenure as Prime Minister, Mrs Thatcher began to close coal mines following picket line strikes, which was seen as the beginning of the downfall of a major British industry.

Mr McTernan, former political secretary to ex-PM Tony Blair, urged the chancellor to holdfast on her changes to inheritance tax (IHT), stating that we “don’t need small farmers.”

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The changes to IHT, in particular agricultural property relief, mean that farm business will no longer be able to transfer assets without paying tax upon death, with farming assets valued above £1m liable to 20% IHT next year.

“If the farmers want to go on the streets, we can do to them what Margaret Thatcher did to the miners,” Mr McTernan told GB News.

“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 Prime Minister was quick to distance his party from the comments, stating he completely disagreed with the comments while at the COP29 conference in Azerbaijan.

When asked about Mr McTernan’s statements he said: I totally disagree. I’m absolutely committed to supporting our farmers.

“I said that before the election, and I say it after the election. That is why, in our budget last week, I was very pleased that we’re investing £5bn over the next two years into farming.

“That is really important for our farmers, and I will do everything I can to support them, because I think it’s essential that they not only prosper but prosper well into the future. I totally disagree with those comments.”

The comments have received rapid condemnation from the farming sector and political opposition.

Victoria Atkins, shadow Defra secretary, questioned whether this standpoint was embedded within other members of the government, stating: “The mask as well and truly slipped. After dismissing our warnings as ‘desperate nonsense’, Labour have brought forward proposals that will decimate our farming industry.

“This former Labour adviser has shown the left-wing way of thinking about small farmers.”

Mo Fisher of the Countryside Alliance said: “It’s incredibly concerning to think that there are people out there that get some sort of ideological kick out of wanting to do down farmers and even more shocking that they can get so close to the reins of power.

“Mr McTernan is, however, in a minority and farmers and their families know the public object to views like this and support them and all their hard work fully.”

Mr Fisher highlighted the “PR nightmare” the government are having with regard to the new ‘family farm tax’, evident by the PM having to answer questions on it all the way in Baku.

Murdo Fraser, Conservative MSP tweeted: “Wow. The mask slips, as a former senior Labour advisor tells us what the party really thinks about small farms.”