Adam Hart
Guest Reporter
Farmers will descend on Whitehall with renewed fury tomorrow in a second ‘more chaotic’ tractor rally to protest Labour’s ‘toxic budget’ which ‘spells the death knell for British farming.’
Rural folks are furious with Chancellor Reeves for capping their inheritance tax exemptions among a slew of other budgetary measures perceived to be anti-farming, ideologically motivated and net zero orientated.
Angered by the perceived attack on an industry already on its knees, 20,000 farmers gridlocked central London on November 19.
But Starmer and Reeves doubled down on their tax raids however, stating it is a fair and balanced approach to fill the £22billion black hole. Now the farming community are rallying again.
Liz Webster, founder of the Save British Farming campaign group who are co-organising tomorrow’s rally, said: "Keir Starmer must listen to farmers and step back from the brink and do what is right and best for our great country.
“Tony Blair’s former advisor, John McTernan, blurted out recently that the Labour Party intends to do to farming what Thatcher did the mines.
“This anti-farming Stalinist offensive from the Labour government presents a real danger to us all, we rely on food to survive.
“Losing the ability to feed ourselves means a total loss of control, we learnt hard lessons in the last two world wars about the fact that food security is national security.”
Tractors will be mustering opposite the House of Commons from 10am tomorrow morning, with speeches planned for midday, just as Sir Keir Starmer heads to the chamber for PMQs.
There will then be a ‘short ceremonial event’ to mark to the ‘serious consequences of Keir Starmer’s and Rachel Reeves’s budget’. Tractors will then roll around Whitehall on a pre-planned protest route.
Ms Webster warned 'nothing is off limits' and to 'expect chaos' but also said farmers 'didn't need to be too French' as she wanted to keep the public on side.
Jeff Gibson, founder of Kent Fairness For Farmers group who are co-organising the event, said: “We strive as farmers in this country to provide the public with the safest food and highest animal welfare in the world and that comes with a cost.
“This is where this cruel farm tax really starts to bite. In most cases we are happy and immensely proud to provide food without any real financial gain in the hope we can pass our farms, which we’ve worked so hard to protect and care for, to the next generation.
“The questions I ask you today are what future does farming have?
“Can we really expect the next generation to start their farming careers paying 10 years of tax burden because we died?
“My message to this government is I am happy to pay any tax to contribute to society like everyone else. But I can’t do that now with both arms tied behind my back.”
Government statistics show 17 per cent of UK farms failed to make a profit in 2022/23, while 59 per cent made a profit of less than £50,000.
Gareth Wyn Jones, a Welsh celebrity farmer, has confirmed his attendance tomorrow, stating: “On the 11th, there’s going to be a lot of tractors heading for London.
“I think for once the whole industry, the whole countryside needs to get behind this to make sure this government understands this is the final nail in the agricultural coffin
“Enough is enough. We need this to change. This is the time to get on your tractor and get out there and show your solidarity.
“We have to protect our family farms and protect the future for our children.”
LATEST FROM MEMBERSHIP:
Last week, an Ipsos poll found 55 per cent of the British public would support a farmers’ strike, roughly the same proportion who support nurse or ambulance staff strikes.
Responding, a Defra spokesperson said: “Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast – we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years, including more money than ever for sustainable food production, and we are developing a 25-year farming roadmap, focusing on how to make the sector more profitable in the decades to come.
“Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will impact around 500 estates a year.
“For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others, with 10 years to pay the liability back interest free. This is a fair and balanced approach which fixes the public services we all rely on."
Find Out More...
Rural folks are furious with Chancellor Reeves for capping their inheritance tax exemptions among a slew of other budgetary measures perceived to be anti-farming, ideologically motivated and net zero orientated.
Angered by the perceived attack on an industry already on its knees, 20,000 farmers gridlocked central London on November 19.
But Starmer and Reeves doubled down on their tax raids however, stating it is a fair and balanced approach to fill the £22billion black hole. Now the farming community are rallying again.
Liz Webster, founder of the Save British Farming campaign group who are co-organising tomorrow’s rally, said: "Keir Starmer must listen to farmers and step back from the brink and do what is right and best for our great country.
“Tony Blair’s former advisor, John McTernan, blurted out recently that the Labour Party intends to do to farming what Thatcher did the mines.
“This anti-farming Stalinist offensive from the Labour government presents a real danger to us all, we rely on food to survive.
“Losing the ability to feed ourselves means a total loss of control, we learnt hard lessons in the last two world wars about the fact that food security is national security.”
Tractors will be mustering opposite the House of Commons from 10am tomorrow morning, with speeches planned for midday, just as Sir Keir Starmer heads to the chamber for PMQs.
There will then be a ‘short ceremonial event’ to mark to the ‘serious consequences of Keir Starmer’s and Rachel Reeves’s budget’. Tractors will then roll around Whitehall on a pre-planned protest route.
Ms Webster warned 'nothing is off limits' and to 'expect chaos' but also said farmers 'didn't need to be too French' as she wanted to keep the public on side.
Jeff Gibson, founder of Kent Fairness For Farmers group who are co-organising the event, said: “We strive as farmers in this country to provide the public with the safest food and highest animal welfare in the world and that comes with a cost.
“This is where this cruel farm tax really starts to bite. In most cases we are happy and immensely proud to provide food without any real financial gain in the hope we can pass our farms, which we’ve worked so hard to protect and care for, to the next generation.
“The questions I ask you today are what future does farming have?
“Can we really expect the next generation to start their farming careers paying 10 years of tax burden because we died?
“My message to this government is I am happy to pay any tax to contribute to society like everyone else. But I can’t do that now with both arms tied behind my back.”
Government statistics show 17 per cent of UK farms failed to make a profit in 2022/23, while 59 per cent made a profit of less than £50,000.
Gareth Wyn Jones, a Welsh celebrity farmer, has confirmed his attendance tomorrow, stating: “On the 11th, there’s going to be a lot of tractors heading for London.
“I think for once the whole industry, the whole countryside needs to get behind this to make sure this government understands this is the final nail in the agricultural coffin
“Enough is enough. We need this to change. This is the time to get on your tractor and get out there and show your solidarity.
“We have to protect our family farms and protect the future for our children.”
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Last week, an Ipsos poll found 55 per cent of the British public would support a farmers’ strike, roughly the same proportion who support nurse or ambulance staff strikes.
Responding, a Defra spokesperson said: “Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast – we have committed £5 billion to the farming budget over two years, including more money than ever for sustainable food production, and we are developing a 25-year farming roadmap, focusing on how to make the sector more profitable in the decades to come.
“Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will impact around 500 estates a year.
“For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others, with 10 years to pay the liability back interest free. This is a fair and balanced approach which fixes the public services we all rely on."
Find Out More...