November 19th 2024.
As the saying goes, "the show must go on," and that's exactly what happened today in central London. Despite the cold and wet weather, thousands of farmers showed up to make their voices heard. These hardworking individuals are known for their resilience and sense of duty, and today was no exception. They gathered in protest of the recent changes to inheritance tax, which they believe could have catastrophic consequences for their industry.
During the Budget last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that family farms worth over £1 million would now have to pay a 20% tax on their land. While Keir Starmer has downplayed the impact, stating that only a small number of farms would be affected, farmers argue that this is simply not true. Liz Harrison, a dairy farmer from Yorkshire, calls it "complete rubbish" and points out that the government has no idea about the true value of farming. She explains that the costs of machinery, seeds, fertilizers, and land are often overlooked, and this new tax could put many elderly farmers out of business.
The anger and frustration were palpable today as over 10,000 people gathered outside Westminster. This was not a party political protest, but rather a united front of individuals who are usually apolitical or do not strongly lean towards any one party. However, one thing was clear - they all shared a deep sense of betrayal towards the current Labour government. Signs reading "Keir Starmer the Farmer Harmer" and "Rachel Thieves" were spotted throughout the crowd, and speakers such as Jeremy Clarkson, Nigel Farage, and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch took turns addressing the masses.
Clarkson, in particular, was vocal in his criticism of Starmer and the "infernal" government. He urged them to admit their mistake and reverse the decision, stating, "I beg of the Government to be big - to accept this was rushed through, it wasn't thought through and it was a mistake." Many farmers were disappointed with the Labour Party, which they had hoped would bring about positive change for their industry. Andrew Booth, a farmer from Dorset and former Labour member, expresses his disappointment, saying, "It's a complete betrayal of our industry, and I hope they get a proper smacking for this."
The main issue at hand is the misinterpretation of farmers' assets and material wealth. As Simon Orson, a farmer from Melton Mowbray, explains, "Farmers are asset rich but cash poor." The industry is already struggling, and this new tax could be the final blow for many farmers. Simon shares that he takes home only around £1,800 a month, which is well below the minimum wage, and he fears he may have to sell his land to pay off the new tax. Others, like Elizabeth Banwell from Wrexham, feel that the government is taking the farming community for granted and should leave them alone.
However, amidst all the frustration and anger, there is a strong sense of community and camaraderie among the farmers. Ben Cooper, a farmer from Birmingham, emphasizes that the turnout today shows just how much they care about their industry. He explains, "We just want a fair price for all the hard work we do. But the government are intent on making family farms unviable for the next generation." This sentiment is echoed by Harry, a young farm worker from Birmingham, who believes that the farming community is like one big family, always ready to stand together and fight for what they believe in.
At the end of the day, it was clear that farmers are not just fighting for themselves but for the future of their industry and the country. They are passionate about farming, the environment, and the countryside, and they see themselves as custodians of something beautiful that they want to pass on to the next generation. As Harry puts it, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we're doing - we're all one massive family, and we'll stand together and fight it out."
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