Labour peer Lord Blunkett has publicly admitted that his party's inheritance tax changes affecting family farms were a "mistake", becoming a senior party figure to break ranks over the policy. Speaking at a Countryside Alliance event alongside former prime minister David Cameron, the ex-home secretary backed calls for new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to carry out a "rural reset" to repair relations with rural communities damaged during Labour's first two years in office, blaming the policy on "Treasury economic orthodoxy" that failed to understand family farms.

The row stems from then-chancellor Rachel Reeves's decision to impose a 20 per cent inheritance tax on farm assets worth over £1million, ending an exemption dating back to the 1980s, though the threshold was later raised to £2.5million after rural protests. Blunkett noted Labour holds around 135 rural or semi-rural seats and argued these voices need greater influence within government. He also called for the manifesto pledge to ban trail hunting to be dropped, while Cameron criticised Labour's stance on shooting, and Countryside Alliance chief Tim Bonner listed 27 government policies the organisation opposes, including changes to betting rules and shooting regulations. Downing Street said Burnham wants to "rebuild trust" with farmers.