Farmers and farm organisations from around the country are preparing to descend en masse on London on Tuesday, November 19, in protest against the forecasted changes to inheritance tax (IHT), as announced in last months budget.
The NFU has arranged a mass lobby where 1,800 of its registered members have arranged to meet with local MPs and members of the lords on the day to appeal the proposed IHT reforms, eventually coalescing in Church House, Westminster.
The NFU mass lobby will highlight the impacts of the recent budget on farmers, the prospective viability of the industry and on food security, in a bid to pressure the chancellor to reconsider the measures.
A second, complementary event organised by a group of farmers, including the farming forum founder, Clive Bailye, will be held on the same day and is expected to draw an even greater numbers of dissenters.
Protest
Attendees will rally under the message “that family farms and the rural community stand united against the government’s catastrophic Budget”, bringing with them British produce to contribute to a mass food bank, as an offering to Londoners, before forming a procession.
With numbers of attendees swelling beyond original predictions, organisers have relocated the event from Trafalgar Square to Richmond Terrace on Whitehall, London, opposite Downing Street, to ensure all participants have the opportunity to safely hear from speakers.
Attendees have been asked to gather on Richmond Terrace from 11:00a.m on the day, with speakers from across agriculture, TV and politics due to show up in solidarity with farmers, with presenter and star of Clarkson’s farm, Jeremy Clarkson reportedly expected to attend.
The aforementioned procession will be spearheaded by a number of children on toy tractors, to illustrate the impact that the budget is expected to have on the next generation of farmers, with the final address given by NFU President, Tom Bradshaw.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s joint protest, Bradshaw said:
“Between now and then you can really help by asking to meet your own MP and telling them what the IHT policy means for you, your family, your farm and your future. We must keep the pressure up.
“Please don’t miss the opportunity to engage with your MP, because they are the ones that ultimately have to get the government to take a different stance on this.
“You can do both events – we’re working in a coordinated fashion and I really look forward to seeing you,” he said.
Northern Ireland’s Farmers For Action’s (FFA) steering committee have also magnanimously agreed to lend their support to Tuesday’s protest against what they perceive to be “disastrous” changes to inheritance tax by Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves.
FFA NI coordinator, William Taylor, also shared his organisation’s vision for the protest:
“The key to a successful protest in London is for farming families to send representation where possible and be there to display high profile banners and to protest peacefully, but firmly to show the government that we [farmers] are professional and responsible and that we mean business.”
