Newly elected Labor MPs are refusing to perform surgery in person after being harassed over the Government’s policies towards farmers and pensioners.

Insiders said the 2024 intake was shocked by the level of hate MPs received, with some struggling to adapt to public life.

One MP was seen ‘crying in the corridor’ in Parliament after harsh criticism was leveled at them over Government decisions including the inheritance tax raid on farms and the scrapping of winter fuel allowances for many pensioners.

‘There is a build-up of hatred, especially towards those living in rural areas,’ said a senior MP. ‘People think they need to vent their anger and become more aggressive in their reactions.’

One of the threats seen by The Mail on Sunday was when a Labor MP was told he would need “extra security” following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to scrap inheritance tax exemptions for farms.

Labor MPs are refusing to hold face-to-face surgery after seeing abuse over the Government’s policies for farmers and pensioners, including Rachel Reeves’ decision to increase inheritance tax on farms

A senior MP says there is ‘a buildup of hatred’ towards those representing rural constituencies (file photo)

A senior source said: ‘People are scared. Some MPs are quite young and do not have much experience.

‘Others did not realize the impact this had on their family life. ‘They don’t think they have enough support.’

Of the 650 politicians elected in July, 335 became MPs for the first time. Sources said parliament invited MPs to additional security briefings and provided additional support as a result of the threats.

Also this year, for the first time, every MP was given a panic alert in their Commons ‘welcome packs’. The alerts have been available on request since Labor MP Jo Cox was killed near a constituency surgery in 2016.

Despite these extra precautions, some lawmakers are not performing surgeries in person but instead are performing them online.

But senior MPs say this undermines democracy. One said, ‘Part of this job is meeting people face to face.’

While ministers defended inheritance tax changes for farmers announced in the budget, Ms Reeves said the country could not afford to continue these exemptions.

He told the BBC last week: ’40 per cent of the benefit was felt by seven per cent of the wealthiest landowners. ‘I don’t think it’s affordable.’

But Conservative MPs have warned about charges for older farmers. Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins said she had received reports that older farmers were ‘very distressed’ by the planned changes.

In an article for MailOnline he says: ‘This is truly devastating. We already know that mental health is a huge concern among farmers. ‘This can be a lonely and isolating job… this latest challenge will only add to the burden.’

Ms Reeves defends inheritance tax raid, saying keeping farmers’ exemption ‘not affordable’ (file photo)

Around 5,000 farmers will descend on London on November 19 to protest the plans (file photo)

He said tax raid would ‘threaten food security and destroy small family farms’

Last week Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said he would reverse the ‘draconian’ decision.

Around 5,000 farmers will descend on London on 19 November to protest the plans.

A House of Commons spokesman said: ‘The ability of Members and their staff to carry out their Parliamentary duties safely, both on and off the property, is fundamental to our democracy.

‘Harassment and intimidation are completely unacceptable. ‘As part of the comprehensive induction of MPs in the new Parliament, a wide range of security advice and services have been provided to new and returning members.’