As Penrith prepares to celebrate its Christmas lights switch-on with a parade of tractors on Saturday evening, farmers across the UK are gearing up for a much more sombre gathering this week in London.
On Tuesday (19th November), thousands of farmers and their families including many from around Penrith and across Cumbria, will descend on the capital to protest what they describe as a "direct attack on the future of British farming" by the new Labour government.
The protest, organised by the Farming Forum, comes in response to controversial new policies, including inheritance tax hikes on agricultural land, which many farmers say threaten the viability of family farms and rural communities. The event, originally expected to draw 10,000 attendees, is now set to surpass that number, with farmers travelling from all corners of the country.
In light of a reported "ban" on tractors in central London during the demonstration, the march will be led by farmers' children riding toy tractors, accompanied by politicians and farming advocates, including Jeremy Clarkson. Clarkson, a vocal supporter of British agriculture through his popular TV series Clarkson's Farm, is expected to draw significant attention to the protest.
NFU (National Farmers' Union) president Tom Bradshaw, a staunch critic of Labour's agricultural policies, will address the rally, alongside other prominent speakers. The protest will also coincide with smaller demonstrations nationwide, including a convoy of tractors outside a Labour conference in Llandudno on Saturday, as the Prime Minister delivered a speech.
Farmers and organisers have called on the public to show support with British Farmers by wearing wellies on Tuesday, encouraging schools, businesses, and communities to get involved. "This rally will help deliver a strong and clear message to the government, right in the heart of London, that family farms and the rural community stand united against this catastrophic Budget," organisers said.
The Labour government's inheritance tax changes, introduced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, have been described by critics as a blow to the rural economy, small-scale enterprises, and the future of farming in the UK. Tom Bradshaw has accused Labour of "targeting" the sector, warning of the long-term consequences for food security and rural livelihoods.
The rally, which organisers hope will draw widespread support, aims to pressure the government into reconsidering its approach to farming. As concerns mount over the impact of the new governments policies on rural economies, the protest is shaping up to be one of the most significant demonstrations in recent years.
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