Farmers angry about Labour's inheritance tax plans have defied a police ban on tractors in Westminster as they protest ahead of Rachel Reeves's second Budget. Demonstrators from across the UK gathered in central London on Wednesday to oppose the Chancellor's proposed 20% inheritance tax rate on agricultural land and businesses worth over £1 million, set to take effect next April.
The Metropolitan Police had imposed conditions on Tuesday evening banning tractors and agricultural vehicles from the protest, limiting it to a designated area in Richmond Terrace, Whitehall. Authorities cited potential 'serious disruption' to businesses, emergency services, and the public. However, tractors were spotted heading to Westminster on Wednesday morning bearing signs such as 'No farms, no food, no future' and 'Fools vote for Labour'.
Organiser Berkshire Farmers described the protest as a call for 'fairness and a future for British farming', urging Labour to reverse the inheritance tax change that 'threatens family farms and rural livelihoods'. They criticised the police's late notice restrictions as a 'malicious approach' to curtail their right to protest.
Yorkshire farmer Jonathan Charlesworth, whose father John took his own life over the impending tax policy, accused police of 'two-tier policing' to protect the government from embarrassment. Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins echoed concerns, questioning why frequent protests in SW1 are allowed to inconvenience motorists and residents, while farmers face last-minute restrictions. The Met defended its decision, stating it had worked with organisers to safely manage the event.
