The government’s pact with voters relies on it delivering on its promise of growth but the early omens are unsettling

‘“Starmer the farmer harmer”: the placards sported by the army of angry landowners who rolled into Westminster last Tuesday sent a clear message to the prime minister, albeit while he was out of the country.

By Thursday, the Treasury was hinting at a retreat, albeit a very modest one, on its plans to levy inheritance tax on larger estates: mooting a transitional regime for the oldest farmers, who may not have time to organise their affairs.