Tractor protest at Whitehall sees farmers rage at Starmer

Farmers remain in a deadlock with the government over tax after a day of protests in which hundreds of tractors were driven through Westminster.

- ALEX ROSS RACHEL CLUN

As a stark report from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) revealed Britain produced less than two-thirds of its consumed food last year, the countryside arrived outside parliament in protest over changes to inheritance tax.

National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president Tom Bradshaw fought back tears as he told of the risk of farmers taking their own lives as a result of the levy, in an impassioned speech to an Environment Committee.

Outside, an estimated 500 tractors blocked Whitehall before they were driven on a slow and noisy procession around Westminster, displaying banners accusing Sir Keir of destroying the family farm.

However, when confronted over the controversial changes to the levy, which farmers claim will force the sale and even closure of family businesses, Sir Keir remained resolute on his party’s line.

“The vast majority of farmers will be unaffected,” Sir Keir told Prime Minister’s Questions, before accusing opposition political parties of “fearmongering” over the highly sensitive issue.

The NFU said it had attempted to engage with Labour on the plans, which will see farmers pay a 20 per cent inheritance tax rate on farms worth more than £1m from April 2026.

But Mr Bradshaw said there had been no action from the government following a meeting with Sir Keir last month.

Farming campaign groups said the government must back down.

Following yesterday’s protest in London, leaders said they were already planning more tractor protests in towns and cities where Labour ministers hold parliamentary seats.

Liz Webster, founder of Save British Farming, told The Independent: “We will fill the towns of every single Labour MP, particularly if they are ministers – they are all on the target list – until the government backs down.”