British farmers—much like their European counterparts—were already angry. Now, London’s Metropolitan Police has managed to make matters worse by banning them from bringing their tractors to a protest against the Labour government’s budget.
Many had already travelled across the country in preparation for the demonstration on Wednesday by the time the news broke, according to Farmers Weekly. Industry representatives are calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to scrap plans for inheritance tax reforms, which will force farmers with high land values—but slim profit margins—to sell land just to cover tax bills.
Reports say that Reeves will raise billions of pounds with a raid on income tax. There is no suggestion that she will reverse the farmer-harming policy.
Some farmers had already defied the ban on Wednesday morning, and at least one had been arrested as of midday.
Berkshire Farmers Group, which is organising the protest, wants it to be “one of the most striking rural demonstrations in years.” Images of farmers in cuffs will certainly contribute to this goal.
🚨Breaking news!🚨
Some farmers are being arrested during their peaceful protest at Westminster ahead of today’s budget announcement. This is utterly disgraceful!!🤬 pic.twitter.com/nrWD5zNYxC
Reform leader Nigel Farage said this was “outrageous.” His deputy leader, Richard Tice, jibed that the demonstration would likely have been allowed to go ahead had it been pro-Palestine, describing this as the latest example of “two-tier Britain.”
Tory MP and shadow farming minister Robbie Moore also said:
Sometimes it seems like we have protests in Westminster every week—but when it comes to our hardworking farmers who work day in, day out to feed us all, the powers that be block them from holding a rally in Whitehall on the day the Chancellor is about to destroy their sector.
Unless farmers have their way, the inheritance tax reforms will take effect in April next year.
Michael Curzon is a news writer for europeanconservative.com based in England’s Midlands. He is also Editor of Bournbrook Magazine, which he founded in 2019, and previously wrote for London’s Express Online. His Twitter handle is @MichaelCurzon_.
