A Norfolk MP has had solar panels installed on a farm he owns, it has emerged, after his party set out plans to “undo the effects of net zero”.
Rupert Lowe, Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, has said he is “proud to be involved in a wide range of businesses”.
Mr Lowe’s farm in Gloucestershire hosts a training ground for a racehorse trainer which has had solar panels installed.
A case study on the Powervault website about Ravenswell Farm dated April 2022 says that the firm worked with company Lowe and Oliver to “tailor the optimum solar and storage combination, based on the electricity consumption profile and site configuration”.
Lowe Holdings, the holding company for Lowe and Oliver, is listed on the MP’s register of interests as one in which he has over 15pc of issued share capital.
Mr Lowe said in a statement: “I’m proud to be involved in a wide range of businesses, which gives me proper insight into how jobs are created and how wealth is generated.
“If more MPs had such real life experience, the country wouldn’t be in such a sorry state.
“My view? Clean energy is incredibly important, but it should be generated in a responsible way that does not bankrupt the country and deindustrialise our economy – particularly at a time when China, India and others are charging through coal."
Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice said earlier this week that the party would "impose a windfall tax on solar power and labelled it "a massive con" as he set out their plans to “undo the effects of net zero”.
Mr Tice also said that farmers who build solar panels on their land would not be able to claim inheritance tax relief.
Reform would abolish the “appalling family farms tax”, which the government has introduced alongside all inheritance tax.
"But I have to say to those farmers who want to sell out to the renewable industry for solar farms, you can’t have it both ways, folks," he added.
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