Thousands of farmers have had the go ahead from police to hold a largescale demonstration in London after mass confusion they were being blocked from doing so.
Confusion arose when the National Farmers Union told farmers not come to London on the 19 because their ‘mass lobby’ of MPs event had reached the 1,800 members limit already.
Outrage ensued- led by Jeremy Clarkson- who asked if Just Stop Oil or Palestine protestors would be treated in the same way.
But farmers Olly Harrison and Clive Bailye have confirmed a larger breakaway event has received permission from the Met Police after lengthy talks.
Harrison, a cereal farmer from Cheshire, said: “The NFU event can only take 1,800 registered members.
“There are far more people than that travelling to London. We’ve been meeting with the Met to find a focal point for them to go to. We’ll let everyone know the route and more details when we have them.”
Clive Bailye confirmed the separate demo, saying: “There are many other farmers desperate for a way to send a clear message to the government of just how damaging this will be to family farms, the rural community and our great British countryside.”
The demo is in response to Chancellor Rachel Reeves slapping a 20 per cent inheritance levy on previously-exempt family farms worth more than £1million from April 2026.
The move triggered fierce debate, with the Treasury claiming it would affect only 27 per cent of farms, but the NFU stating the figure was closer to 66 per cent.
Farmer Olly Harrison is helping organise the upcoming demo in London
Olly Harrison
Critics have pointed to Labour’s repeated assurances pre-election they would not touch farmers’ inheritance tax, and the fact £500 million- the amount the Treasury predicts to raise- is a paltry figure that could only fund the NHS for one day and five hours.
Many see it as an ideological attack from an urban elite on a section of society they perceive to be Range Rover-driving millionaires.
Further details have since emerged from the budget showing how Labour are shafting farmers, namely slapping tax on double cab pickups- the workhorse vehicle of many agricultural workers- and scaling back subsidies.
Details of the larger breakaway demo are still emerging, but organisers want there to be a focus on British food.
They have asked those coming to: “Contribute towards a mass food bank donation - hopefully the single biggest food bank donation of British food ever- to demonstrate and remind everyone that feeding people is what we do.
“We are working with charities to coordinate collection points, more details will follow, along with other plans being made for the day.”
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Jeremy Clarkson has been highly critical of Labour's approach to farmers
Getty
The last largescale rural protests in London were held by the Countryside Alliance in 2002when over 400,000 rural folks marched for ‘Liberty and Livelihood’, namely in response to the Blair government’s hunting ban.
Commenting on the planned farmer demo, a spokesperson for the CA said: “The currency of political demonstration has changed fundamentally since the original countryside marches, but for farmers who feel they have no other avenue, you can see why they’d want to voice their upset through peaceful protest.
“This isn’t a political game; this involves real people and there is a growing view that many in Whitehall just don’t get it. We would, however, strongly advise against any activity that risks undermining the huge public support that exists for our farmers”.
While the organisers are stressing for the protest to remain above board, farmers have been vociferous online with some calling for a tractor ‘go slow’ event.
Others have called to stop food leaving their farms, emptying supermarkets of food and even spreading slurry on roads.
Clive Bailye added: “All those planning to attend, please register so we can keep in touch re plans / times / locations / routes and work with police to ensure everyone safety etc.
“You don't even need to be a farmer, everyone- young and old (we want this to be a FAMILY event)- who supports UK farmers or is concerned about the effect on rural communities and economy is welcome.”
Farmers are also calling for celebrity appearances at the event after many famous faces attacked the government for their policy like Clarkson, Kirstie Allsopp, James Dyson, Jay Rayner, Nigel Owens and Gareth Wyn Jones.
