Britain has seen protests in Manchester over the war in Iran and in London over agricultural issues this week. In the meantime, French and British trade unions announce demonstrations on International Women’s Day.
Different views on Iran conflict flare up in Manchester
The Manchester Evening News reported that protests took place in the city on 4 March over the conflict in Iran, leading to disputes between opposing sides: those who condemn US and Israeli military action in Iran and those who support it. The protest, as reported in the media, was announced by the Manchester Friends of Islamic Centre organisation on Instagram and said to be hosted by the Muslim community in Manchester.
The demonstration began with a candlelight memorial service in memory of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, killed along with his wife and several family members in the airstrike as part of a large-scale US and Israeli missile attack on targets in Iran on 28 February, leading to a flurry of military action in the region since then.
Those gathered laid candles, flowers and photos of the late supreme leader and the other victims of the recent air strikes at the centre’s building, as well as posters with the words “We stand with the revolution” and “Killed by the US/Israel,” with the latter covered in red handprints. Another sign read: “You can kill a man, but you can’t kill an ideology – loyal to our leader.” Participants supporting the regime waved modern Iranian flags, Palestinian flags and photographs of the Ayatollah.
Some of the protesters, 18-year-old Kayam Hussain from the Pakistani community, stated: “We think that what is happening in Iran, the whole war in the Middle East, is really chaotic and it’s going to bring so much damage. It’s going to bring damage to the world. The killing of Khamenei is one of the biggest mistakes that people have made, because it’s not going to go down well in the world. The whole world is going to be affected. I do feel the whole world is going to be affected by this and we’re getting close to something catastrophic.”
“He was very controversial, yes, but he was the leader of Iran, the Islamic public and the people of Iran. Even though some may be happy about it, the people who are from his religion, Shia, did not take it well, and I can guarantee that something bad is going to happen in the world,” Kayam added.
The protest in support of Iran was met with some opposition from those who support US and Israeli military action in Iran. A larger counter-protest, with participants playing loud music, chanting slogans and dancing to celebrate the Ayatollah’s death, broke out in opposition. Waving US, Israeli and pre-1979 Iranian flags, they beat drums and shouted slogans into megaphones at a group of people across the street, separated by dozens of police officers.
A large group of people burned a photo of the Supreme Leader, proudly waving sparklers and photos of Reza Pahlavi, as well as a framed photo of Donald Trump.
Among the counter-protesters was 33-year-old Ryan Mendelson, who said: “I’m with the Jewish community. We come out every week to support the Iranian community because they supported us for two years after what happened after 7 October. On Saturday, we found out that the Ayatollah was dead, which is amazing because he killed over 80,000 to 100,000 people on the streets.”
“It’s a celebration because Khamenei is dead. We’re happy about what Netanyahu and Trump did. It was Netanyahu who killed Ayatollah, and we’re grateful for that.”
“We’re here tonight because they want to light a candle for a dictator, like I say he killed over 80,000 people on the street. What are they gonna do next? Light a candle for Hitler who killed 6 million of my ancestors? The UK Prime Keir Starmer won’t prescribe the IRGC as a terrorist organisation. Every other country in the world has done so in the US and Europe, but all of a sudden Keir Starmer can’t do it.”
Despite the broad context of the protest, the confrontation was largely peaceful, with the exception of a few skirmishes that broke out between protesters when the groups were dispersed and were quickly quelled by the police.
Farmers chant “Labour liars” in London
British farmers descended on London en masse to demand a review of a number of farming policies. They stressed that changes to inheritance tax threaten family farms and family businesses, while food security is at risk. The inheritance tax reform is due to come into force on 6 April 2026, prompting around 20 farmers from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire and Leicestershire set off on their tractors for Westminster on Tuesday ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spring statement.
Placards on tractors displayed messages including “No British farming, No food,” “Unite the country. Your Farmers, our Food,” “Labour Liars” and “Labour Out,” as farmers called on ministers to abandon the policy and provide stronger support for domestic food production. Campaigners hope the demonstration could delay the introduction of the tax if the court finds that the government failed to properly consult with the industry.
Will Finn-Kelcey, an arable farmer near Milton Keynes, said growers are being squeezed by low commodity prices and rising input costs, with energy bills and red diesel soaring due to global tensions. “The government needs to rethink food security, start speaking to and engaging with supermarkets and the food sector,” he said.
“We need to see more support for domestic food production and a complete removal of the proposed farm inheritance tax policy. At the moment, we’re not seeing any support for farmers from this government. The new SFI seems to be targeted at small farmers, less than 50ha. These are not the main food-producing farms of the country. The government keeps saying “we’re supporting farmers with millions of pounds,” but we’re not seeing this,” he added.
Farmers said that the spring statement provided ministers with an opportunity to pause reforms, refine support schemes for farmers and set out measures to strengthen domestic production during a period of geopolitical uncertainty. A farmer from Berkshire said:
“The government needs to wake up and realise the country is sleepwalking into a food security crisis. We have closed both fertiliser factories and are now entirely reliant on imports. We saw the risks with Ensus – when the Teesside bioethanol plant stopped production, it exposed how losing domestic biofuel capacity hits both fuel supply and the farmers who grow the wheat that produces the fuel.”
However, Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement may have contained a few political surprises, but the AHDB says that the economic outlook, particularly against the backdrop of renewed conflict in the Middle East, could still shape the fate of UK agriculture, according to an article in FarmingUK.
“Energy remains a major concern. Farms and food processors could face renewed upward pressure on heating, electricity and fuel bills as oil and gas prices have already risen significantly. Input costs are also closely tied to energy markets. Gas prices influence fertiliser production and energy bills, while oil prices affect diesel, plastics such as bale wrap, agrochemicals and transport costs,” the article reads.
On his Facebook page, Councillor Stephen Burrell from the Edgmonde district, Council of Trinidad and White, criticised Reeves’ Spring Statement:
“The Government’s Spring Statement contained absolutely nothing for our rural communities to celebrate. No additional support for essential infrastructure including our local roads, pavements and footpaths. No additional support for our heavily challenged local pubs and restaurants. Critically, absolutely no word, consideration or assistance for our local farmers. I am sure the Government strongly feels it is supporting many communities but I have to say to Starmer and Reeves that this Spring Statement was a lost opportunity to show support for our rural communities that we will not forget.”
Rallies on International Women’s Day
Today, a rally is also being held in London in support of Palestinian women “who are at the forefront of their people’s struggle for freedom. They need our solidarity more than ever,” said Palestine Solidarity Campaign UK. The trade union Unite the Union also announced a rally in Northern Ireland.
The rally will be addressed by former President Mary Robinson, who will speak about this year’s theme, “Strength in Solidarity.” Ahead of her speech, Robinson said: “At a time when women’s rights and gender equality are under pressure in so many parts of the world, International Women’s Day is a time to stand together in solidarity and commitment to these rights. This year I am happy to do so in Belfast.”
The French trade union Confédération paysanne joined rallies in honour of International Women’s Day. The union highlighted the important role of women both in the family and in the workplace, stating that their rights are still too often invisible: precarious status, unequal pensions, difficult access to land or responsibilities.
“Women keep agriculture alive, but their rights are still too often invisible: precarious status, unequal pensions, difficult access to land or responsibilities,” the union said.
