British farmers are gearing up for their third major protest in four months as they converge on Whitehall to challenge the government’s new inheritance tax policy.
The rally, orchestrated by Save British Farming (SBF) and titled “Change Your Tune, Starmer,” is scheduled to start at 1pm with farmers driving tractors into central London.
The contentious issue at the heart of the protests is Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s recent Budget decision to extend inheritance tax to agricultural land.
Liz Webster, the founder of SBF, has sharply criticized this move, asserting that it will lead the UK towards a food crisis.
A lineup of influential speakers is set to address the demonstrators at 3.15pm in Whitehall, including Tom Bradshaw of the National Farmers Union and the well-known farmer Gareth Wyn Jones.
Gavin Lane, deputy president of the Country Land and Business Association, also speaking at the event, emphasized the enduring opposition to the tax changes, stating, “The government is hoping we’d move on, but these are our livelihoods we are defending. This issue will haunt them until they see sense.”
The National Farmers Union has expressed strong support for the protest, having organized previous rallies.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw highlighted the deep-seated concerns among farmers, saying, “The strength of feeling around the proposed family farm tax is still incredibly high. We support any members who want to take part in other respectful and lawful demonstrations which work towards our aim to stop the family farm tax.”
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, speaking at Belmont Farm in North West London and representing Reform UK, vehemently opposed the inheritance tax on farms.
At a Farmers to Action event, he argued against what he terms “death taxes,” describing them as “wrong” and “immoral at every level.”
