Hundreds of farmers descended on Westminster with tractors and tanks to protest against the Labour government’s proposed inheritance tax on farms worth over £1 million, according to The Independent.
The rally, organised by Save British Farming, saw vehicles lining Whitehall, stretching back to Trafalgar Square, as farmers demanded a rethink of the 20% inheritance tax rate announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves last year.
Protesters waved Union Jack flags and held banners supporting British farming, while four tanks were spotted at the demonstration. The event marks the third such protest since the tax plan was unveiled, with farmers warning that the policy could push the UK towards a food crisis.
Liz Webster, the protest organiser, stated that the rally aimed to pressure the government into negotiations. She accused Labour of “marching into a food crisis” and emphasised the importance of protecting family farms. Despite the outcry, Labour has so far refused to backtrack on its plans.
The protest coincided with a parliamentary debate on an e-petition signed by over 148,000 people, calling for the retention of current inheritance tax exemptions for working farms. Earlier in the day, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage addressed farmers en route to the protest, urging an end to “death taxes.” However, Webster criticised Farage for “jumping on the bandwagon,” noting that he was not invited to the event.
Farmers argue that the proposed tax could force many family-owned farms to sell their land, threatening the UK’s agricultural sector and food security. The protest highlights growing tensions between rural communities and the government over policies perceived as detrimental to farming livelihoods.
As the debate continues, the government faces mounting pressure to address farmers’ concerns and find a balance between fiscal policy and the sustainability of British agriculture.
