On a cold november day more than 10-thousand farmers drove their tractors to Westminster showing their anger about Labourʼs new farm-tax rules (which will start in spring 2026)
Steve Witherden and other Labour MPs from farm-areas started doubting the policy — they want Treasury to show real numbers about how many farms it will hit. The tax would affect farms valued over £1m which farmers say is way-too low
I beg the government to accept this was rushed through‚ wasnt thought out‚ and was a mistake
The protest got support from well-known people like Lord Lloyd-Webber and Kemi Badenoch while some tractors pushed through police barriers on whitehall; making police write-up reports
Farm groups say Labourʼs numbers dont add up: while government claims only 27% of farms will pay new tax National Farmers Union thinks its closer to 66%. They worry that land-rich but cash-poor farmers will need to sell fields to pay taxes
- Farmers can give farms to family tax-free if done 7 years before death
- New rules start april 2026
- Current farm-value limit for couples is £3m
Tom Bradshaw from NFU says Rachel Reeves wont listen to their ideas about fixing the tax problem — while Victoria Atkins joined Tory MPs supporting farmers at protest. Some farmers carried signs saying “Keir Starmer: Farmer harmer“ and asking for a “ewe-turn“ on plans