Hundreds of farmers descended on Whitehall today to take part in a “Pancake Day rally” against Labour’s controversial changes to inheritance tax.
Protesters with combine harvesters and tractors arrived in London this morning for the protest, which was largely on foot as police allowed only a limited number of tractors.
It comes after Met Police stated last month’s demonstration, involving a large number of tractors, caused road in Westminster to be blocked for several hours and caused traffic delays.
Seven machines present at the protest today were pre-agreed with police under the conditions of the Public Order Act, police said.
The march was attended by MPs including the leader of the Conservative party Kemi Badenoch, Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage and shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins.
A farmer was also pictured flipping pancakes from the top of the vehicle and handing them out to protesters, while placards had a Pancake-Day theme.
Labour is pressing ahead with a 20% inheritance tax rate on agricultural land and businesses worth more than £1 million, essentially scrapping an exemption which meant no tax was paid to pass down family farms.
Farmers say that it will force land sales, stall investment, and hurt families lacking succession plans.
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All roads have reopened in central London as the farmers protest comes to a close.
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Seven farming vehicles were approved, police say
Police have said seven farming vehicles at the protest this morning were approved to be there.
Victoria Atkins questions Met Police over protest restrictions
Shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins has questioned police over their decision to ban tractors from attending the farmers protest in Whitehall today.
Speaking this afternoon, she said: "When we think of other demonstrations across London that happen on a weekly basis, I wonder whether quite the same restrictions are put in place for them."
Nigel Farage urges farmers to pressure Labour MPs with 'paper thin' majorities
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage urged farmers to pressure Labour MPs in rural constituencies whose majorities are "cigarette paper-thin".
Speaking at the protest, he said: "That is where the pressure is going to come.
"They are 1,500 here and 2,000 there. I think if they (Labour) start to realise that local communities are getting behind the farmers you will see a lot more Labour MPs rebelling."
As Mr Farage spoke, protesters passing by on the march shouted: "Thank you for coming, Nigel."
Mr Farage cited Cornwall as an example of an area with Labour-held seats with a "really quite big rural dynamic".
"I think the really important thing for farmers is, yes, by all means come to London, but you need to be in Truro, regularly," he said.
Badenoch says protest is 'peaceful'
Asked about the public order conditions imposed by the Met Police, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: "I think we have a peaceful protest here.
"The farmers are more interested in ensuring that people understand what they are going through."
No10 says PM has 'engaged with farmers over their concerns'
Sir Keir Starmer has "engaged with farmers over their concerns" and "made a very big commitment" to them in the Budget, Downing Street has said as demonstrators lined Whitehall in protest over tax increases for land owners.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman added: "We've committed £5billion in support to farmers over next two years. It's the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country's history.
"Our commitment to farmers is steadfast....We're using planning reforms to support food production, making it quicker for farmers to build the infrastructure they need.
“We're delivering fairness across the supply chain, with farmers getting clearer pricing terms and fair competition. You'll have seen the announcements on flood defenses, on food procurement. Across the board we're obviously committed to supporting our farmers and the important role they play."
In Pictures: More signs emerging at the protest
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Pancakes flipped from the top of a combine harvester
Farmers have been spotted handing out pancakes to protesters from the top of a combine harvester.
They are flipping the batter and cooking the pancakes from a pan before throwing them down to protesters.
Disco music has been heard playing in the background.
Pancake Day-themed banners at the protest
Hundreds of farmers have gathered at in Whitehall so far today to protest against the Government’s changes to inheritance tax. Among the crowd is Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Shadow environment secretary, Victoria Atkins, has also been spotted at the protest wearing a Union Jack jacket in support of British farmers.
Pancakes are the clear theme of today’s protest, with one banner reading: ‘Forsake of the Pancake!’, while another says: ‘ Farmers matter if we want batter’.
Pictured: Farming vehicles drive up Parliament Street
