Initially, thousands of farmers were expected to converge on London on 19 November to protest the new tax regime, which will impose a 20% inheritance tax on agricultural assets worth over £1 million.
However, the NFU announced that the event would be limited to 1,800 attendees, citing “legal issues” and “logistical constraints.” This move has been criticised by some farmers, including Jeremy Clarkson, who accused the NFU of being complicit in the government’s efforts to suppress the protest.
Clarkson, a prominent farmer and TV personality, had initially planned to ferry a group of farmers from the Cotswolds to London for the protest. However, he was forced to abandon his plans due to the restrictions imposed by the NFU and the Metropolitan Police.
The police have maintained that they have not banned the protest outright, but rather are working with organisers to ensure a peaceful and safe event. The police statement emphasised that they apply the same legislative framework to all protest notifications, without favour or prejudice.
Despite the scaled-back protest, farmers remain vocal in their opposition to the inheritance tax changes. Many believe the new regime will devastate family farms and rural communities, leading to food shortages and economic hardship.
The controversy has sparked debate about the government’s treatment of farmers and the two-tier standards in policing protests. While pro-Palestinian rallies have been allowed to proceed with larger numbers, the farmers’ protest has been restricted.
Clarkson questioned why pro-Palestine and Just Stop Oil demonstrations had the green light to go ahead in greater numbers than the farmers were being permitted.
“Perhaps if I had draped my tractor in a Palestinian flag it would be different,” he commented in the Sun. “It seems that if you are from Just Stop Oil or protesting about Gaza, you can do what you want. But farmers are treated differently by a government that is waging an all-out war on the countryside.”
The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between farmers and the government over agricultural policy and taxation. The inheritance tax changes take effect in April 2026 and farmers will continue to fight for their rights and livelihoods.
At the same time, the public is getting behind UK farmers. A week ago, we published an article about the farmers’ protest on 19 November. In that article, we mentioned a petition which at the time of writing had just under 71,000 signatures. Less than six days later, the petition has more than doubled and it has 174,693 signatures. If you want to support our farmers and help them to survive the Government’s destructive agricultural policies, you can start by signing the petition HERE....<<<Read More>>>>...
