Anger grows over proposed inheritance tax changes, with farmers heading to Westminster in a bid to make their voices heard, and high-profile figures like Jeremy Clarkson set to join the protest

Farmers are gearing up for one of the largest protests in recent memory, targeting the government’s inheritance tax policy. The protest set to take place on Tuesday in Westminster, comes nearly three weeks after the controversial announcement in the Budget that some farms will face inheritance tax charges, sparking growing frustration in rural communities.

Organisers anticipate a turnout of between 10,000 and 40,000 people, with some of the country’s most vocal farming advocates expected to join, including television personality and farmer Jeremy Clarkson. The protest is seen as a direct challenge to the government’s handling of agricultural policies, especially given the rising concerns over the impact of inheritance tax changes on farmers’ livelihoods.

The proposed reforms have ignited a heated debate about the number of farms potentially affected and whether the government fully understands the realities faced by rural communities. BBC Verify has attempted to clarify the numbers, but the lack of clear communication has left many farmers feeling misled.

Baroness Mallalieu, Labour peer and president of the Countryside Alliance, voiced her frustration on The Westminster Hour, accusing the government of “incompetence” and claiming that the Labour party has become “divorced from a big section of the community.” She also expressed concerns about the government’s urban-centric approach, which she believes overlooks the needs of rural areas.

Despite growing criticism, government ministers, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, have been adamant that the changes will not be reversed. They argue that the benefits of the reforms, including significant funding commitments to the farming sector, will outweigh the negatives. Starmer emphasized that the government has pledged £5 billion for farming over the next two years, along with additional funds for flood relief and disease control.

However, many in agriculture remain unconvinced, calling the government’s claims “bunkum” and dismissing the support measures as insufficient. The controversy over inheritance tax changes echoes similar rural tensions from the last time Labour was in power, particularly surrounding the 2002 fox hunting ban, which led to mass protests and a significant backlash from rural communities.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, currently attending the G20 Summit in Brazil, has defended the changes, asserting that “the vast majority of farms and farmers” would not be impacted by the new policy. However, his reassurances have done little to quell the anger, and the issue continues to dominate political discussions.

As farmers make their way to Westminster, the government faces a pivotal moment in managing its relationship with rural Britain. With the protest set to be one of the most significant demonstrations in years, the outcome could influence the trajectory of the government’s rural policies and the wider political landscape.