Farmers Prepare for Major Protest in Westminster Over Inheritance Tax Changes
A significant farmers’ protest is set to take place in Westminster, with expectations of between 10,000 and 40,000 participants, including celebrity farmer Jeremy Clarkson. The demonstration comes nearly three weeks after the Budget announcement proposing inheritance tax changes for farms, which has sparked growing anger among agricultural communities.
The controversy stems from the Labour government’s plan to modify inheritance tax relief, which farmers and rural advocates view as a sign of ministerial ignorance about countryside issues. Baroness Mallalieu, president of the Countryside Alliance, criticized the government, suggesting that the Labour Party has become increasingly disconnected from rural communities.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer remains adamant about the policy, asserting that the “vast majority of farms and farmers” will not be affected. He highlighted significant budget allocations for farming, including £5 billion over two years, £50 million for flooding, and £200 million for disease prevention. However, agricultural professionals dismiss these figures as creative number spinning.
The inheritance tax issue has struck a particularly sensitive chord for several reasons:
1. Inheritance tax is widely considered the most unpopular tax in the UK, despite only 3.7% of deaths resulting in an inheritance tax bill in 2020-21.
2. Many view the tax as fundamentally unfair, representing double taxation and undermining the human desire to provide for one’s children.
3. Farmers are a profession with significant public sympathy and a strong lobbying capacity.
The current controversy is seen as the culmination of long-standing frustrations within the farming community. Previous issues contributing to this tension include:
– The trade deal with Australia, which many farmers believe undermines their interests
– Post-Brexit adjustments to farm subsidies
– Frequent changes in farming ministerial positions (five ministers in five years)
These factors have created a pervasive sense of disillusionment and feeling of being unheard among farmers.
The protest echoes a similar rural community demonstration 22 years ago, when approximately 400,000 people marched in London against the fox hunting ban. The inheritance tax issue could prove equally significant in mobilizing rural discontent.
The government appears aware of the potential political ramifications. Some sources are even pointing to planned improvements in rural bus services as evidence of their commitment to rural communities.
As farmers prepare to descend on Westminster, the protest represents more than just a dispute over tax policy. It symbolizes a broader disconnect between urban political leadership and rural communities, and a growing frustration with policies perceived as detrimental to agricultural livelihoods.
With the protest imminent, Westminster is bracing for what could be a pivotal moment in defining the relationship between the new Labour government and the farming sector.
