Thousands of farmers with tractors storm Westminster over new tax rules
Over 10000 farmers brought their tractors to London streets protesting Labourʼs inheritance tax changes. Rural MPs started questioning the policy that could affect family-owned farms worth more than £1m
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
