Farmers have taken dramatic action in the heart of London, driving tractors into Whitehall on the government's Budget Day in defiance of a direct ban from the Metropolitan Police.
Budget Day Disruption
The protest, which took place on Wednesday 26 November 2025, was a direct response to a key Budget announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. At the centre of the dispute is a proposed 20 per cent inheritance tax on agricultural property valued over £1 million.
Organisers of the demonstration, such as Dan Willis, stated it was impossible to stop farmers from attending. Willis accused the police of making the situation worse by restricting vehicle access, claiming they had created a "tinderbox situation".
Police Restrictions and Farmer Fury
Prior to the protest, the Met Police had banned tractors from Whitehall, citing concerns over potential "serious disruption" to the area, local businesses, and emergency services. The force had attempted to confine the vehicle protest to Richmond Terrace.
However, this move was ignored by the protesting farmers, who brought their tractors to the seat of UK government power to ensure their voices were heard.
Broader Industry Concerns
Beyond the immediate anger over the inheritance tax proposal, farmers used the protest to highlight a series of deep-seated issues threatening their livelihoods.
Protesters expressed grave concerns that the new tax would devastate family-run businesses, potentially forcing the sale of land that had been in families for generations.
They also pointed to a wider set of challenges, including other rising taxes, persistently low prices for their produce, and growing anxieties over the UK's food security. These concerns are particularly acute as post-Brexit direct payments to farmers are being phased out.
The protest on one of the most significant days in the political calendar signals a major clash between the government's financial plans and the future of British agriculture.
