Farmers driving tractors into central London faced multiple arrests on Budget Day after defying police restrictions on their planned protest. The demonstration, which brought rush-hour traffic to a standstill near Parliament, was organised to voice strong opposition to the Government's proposed inheritance tax on agricultural businesses.
Police Make Arrests as Protest Defies Conditions
The Metropolitan Police had issued a clear warning ahead of the demonstration, stating that anyone breaching conditions by bringing vehicles, including tractors, would be asked to leave. Officers confirmed that while most protesters complied after speaking with police, several arrests were made under the Public Order Act.
More than a dozen tractors could be seen parked outside Parliament on Wednesday morning, with farmers repeatedly sounding their horns as police stood watching. The scene created significant disruption during the morning rush hour, drawing attention to the farmers' cause on the day Chancellor Rachel Reeves was set to deliver her Budget speech.
Reform UK Steps In With Legal Support Pledge
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage swiftly condemned the police response, branding the arrests as "outrageous" and announcing that his party would provide full legal support to every farmer protesting peacefully. This commitment came after police effectively cancelled the farmers' planned protest on Whitehall at the last moment.
"They have come to London and are now being arrested. This is outrageous," Farage stated. "Reform UK will provide full legal support to every farmer protesting peacefully today."
Farmers Voice Fears Over Inheritance Tax Changes
The protest focused primarily on the Government's plan to introduce inheritance tax on farm businesses worth more than £1 million. David Gunn, an arable farmer and agricultural contractor from near Sevenoaks in Kent, explained that this tax would "cripple the small family farmers."
"There's all the other taxes they've been putting on us, and the prices we get for our produce and what it costs in the shop, we don't make any money," Gunn told reporters. "Then there's food security - farmers are going out of business."
His message to the Government was blunt: "Sort the pledge out. You said in the manifesto you would look after the farmers, which you totally haven't, you've ruined the countryside."
Among the protesters was 18-year-old Tyler Carter from Peterborough, who held a sign reading: "Dear London sorry ... I'm here to fight for my future!" Carter expressed concern that the proposed reforms would cost both his boss and himself their jobs. When asked what he would say to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, he responded: "How dare you?"
The protest also featured creative demonstrations, including one farmer dressed as Father Christmas with his tractor carrying a large spruce tree and a sign listing Government figures on his "naughty list," including Keir Starmer, Rachel Reeves, and David Lammy.
This marks the second major farmers' protest in recent months, following similar demonstrations last December when thousands gathered along Whitehall and farmers drove tractors outside Parliament. The inheritance tax proposal has become a political flashpoint for a sector already struggling with rising costs, tough market conditions and worsening climate impacts.
