Luke Myer MP has again stood up for East Cleveland’s farmers, joining dozens of Labour rural MPs in abstaining on Budget Resolution 50, following a direct request to do so from the National Farmers Union. The NFU urged MPs to abstain to send a clear message to government that its plans for the so-called “family farm tax” still fall far short of what rural communities need.

Since being elected, Luke has met farmers and the NFU multiple times, written repeatedly to the Treasury about the tax, and raised farming issues in Parliament.

As the first MP for the constituency to come from East Cleveland — growing up in Brotton and speaking proudly about the villages “from Loftus to Lingdale and Skelton to Stanghow” in his maiden speech — he has made defending rural communities a central part of his work.

Recent Budget changes allowing agricultural inheritance tax allowances to be transferred between spouses were welcomed as a step forward, but Luke shares the NFU’s view that the policy still places unacceptable burdens on elderly and vulnerable farmers. For months, he has pressed ministers to rethink the approach, arguing that family farms are the backbone of rural life and vital to food security, jobs and local identity.

Alongside this campaign, Luke has consistently championed East Cleveland’s wider rural needs — from backing farmers during the North Yorkshire fires to calling out the long-term squeeze on farm incomes caused by soaring fertiliser costs. His recent “Invest in East Cleveland” event set out a first-of-its-kind East Cleveland Growth Plan with concrete proposals on rural transport, skills and economic development to ensure rural communities receive their fair share of regional investment.

Luke has been clear from day one: he is proud to be the constituency’s first MP from East Cleveland, and he will continue fighting for the people who shaped him.

Greg Proll, NFU Group Secretary for the North Riding, said:

“We are grateful to Luke for consistently listening to farmers and the NFU over the last year. He stood with farmers again yesterday. The MPs who listened to us yesterday are the rural representatives of the Labour Party and represent the working people of the countryside in places like East Cleveland. It is vital that the Chancellor listens to the message they have delivered and remove this unjust and unfair policy.”