Farmers Defy Police Ban in Budget Day Demonstration
Angry farmers have defied a last-minute tractor ban to drive their vehicles to Westminster in protest against Chancellor Rachel Reeves' controversial inheritance tax changes. The dramatic demonstration unfolded on Budget Day despite the Metropolitan Police attempting to restrict the protest to a small designated area of Whitehall just hours before it was due to begin.
The protest, organised by Berkshire Farmers but involving agricultural workers from across the country, was intended to be one of the most significant rural demonstrations in years with hundreds of tractors participating. Police justified their intervention by claiming the tractor protest could result in serious disruption to the life of the community.
Accusations of Two-Tier Policing
The police decision sparked immediate fury among farming communities, with widespread accusations of two-tier policing emerging. One frustrated farmer questioned whether the ban was implemented to avoid embarrassment to Rachel Reeves on budget day, noting that all previous farming protests had been peaceful and well-organised.
Yorkshire farmer Jonathan Charlesworth, whose personal tragedy highlights the human cost of the tax changes, spoke passionately about the situation. My father John took his own life the day before budget day last October 29, Mr Charlesworth revealed, explaining that his father had acted to pass on the family farm before the new inheritance tax policy comes into effect next April.
Mr Charlesworth directly challenged the police reasoning, stating: I don't believe any of the reasons given to cancel the tractor convoy have a basis, considering much more divisive marches have taken place including pro-Palestinian marches. He described the decision as screaming two-tier policing to protect the government from adverse publicity.
Political Backlash and Support
The controversy has drawn significant political attention, with Tory MP Sir John Hayes, chairman of the backbench Common Sense group, expressing bewilderment at the police decision. It shouldn't be beyond the wit of the Metropolitan Police to allow activities of this kind, Sir John stated, adding that it seems bizarre that they allow so many demonstrations to go ahead by the most bizarre, extreme groups yet we can't allow the farmers who feed the nation.
Clive Bailye of The Farming Forum, who organised the first tractor protest against the inheritance tax raid last November, reinforced the sense of unfair treatment. The feedback from the Met about our protest was that we were a pleasure to work with, Mr Bailye noted, revealing that organisers had been assured the protest could proceed before receiving the late notice ban at 2.30pm on Tuesday.
Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins MP added her voice to the critics, demanding: Farmers deserve answers. She questioned why the police changed their minds with less than 24 hours remaining after working with farmers for 12 days to ensure a safe protest. What has changed? It doesn't smell right, she stated, suggesting the decision might be intended to save the Chancellor embarrassment.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson defended the decision, explaining: We have had a number of conversations with the protest organisers to safely manage the event. While people will still be able to demonstrate, conditions have been put in place to prevent protesters from bringing vehicles, including tractors or other agricultural vehicles to the protest. The police maintained this was necessary due to the serious disruption they may cause to businesses, emergency services and Londoners.
