Farmers are set to descend upon London later today (Tuesday, March 4), to participate in what is being dubbed the ‘Pancake Day Rally’, the latest protest against the Labour government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax.
The protest is being organised by Save British Farming, with additional support coming from various farming unions, including the Ulster Farmers Union, who have confirmed it has sent a delegation to London to attend the protest on its behalf.
Protesters are encouraged to come on foot, following a statement from the Metropolitan Police, issued on Saturday, March 1, which forewarned of conditions imposed under the Public Order Act to prevent tractor demonstrations.
Only a limited number of tractors, pre-arranged by the protest’s organisers, Save British Farming, and granted explicit permission by the police, will be allowed attend the protest, police confirmed.
Pancake Day Rally
Those attending the event will converge on Whitehall from 11a.m, with a procession taking place from around midday heading towards Trafalgar Square, turning right onto Northumberland Avenue, along the Embankment, and back into Whitehall via Westminster Bridge Road and Parliament Street.
A rally will take place in Whitehall from 1:30p.m, where members of parliament will be invited to attend and “enjoy a pancake” with protesters, in an effort to show the true cost of its ingredients. It is expected to conclude by 3:00p.m, according to organisers.
This is the first farming protest where sanctions will be imposed by police onto individuals that take tractors along with them.
Deputy assistant commissioner Ben Russell, who is commanding the policing operation, said: “Two previous protests have taken place in the same area, with the same organisers, in recent months.
“The second protest saw a significant number of people attend with tractors and other large farming vehicles. Whitehall was blocked for much of the day and there were lengthy significant delays on surrounding roads.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that protests don’t cause serious disruption to the life of the community and we’ve used our powers under the Public Order Act to ensure that does not happen on Tuesday.
“We have been in regular contact with the organisers to explain our decision making and I’m grateful for the positive and collaborative approach they have taken,” he added.
