‘Militant’ Farmers’ Protest Plans Swell Over ‘Last Straw’ Tax Hike
Farmers from all corners of the UK are gearing up to storm Westminster after Guido first reported on brewing protests late last week, their pitchforks sharper than ever. Furious at the “completely unfair” inheritance tax hikes, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has organised a rally on Tuesday November 19th in Church House, which only has space for a little over 500 people. Thousands are expected to join, including the National Federation of Young Farmers, who rural sources tell Guido are “more likely to go mental on Parliament Square.” The NFU may need to find a bigger joint…
NFU President Tom Bradshaw isn’t mincing words. He’s sounded the alarm about the growing backlash, warning ministers:
“I have never seen the weight of support, the strength of feeling and anger that there is in this industry today. Many of them want to be militant…We’ve made very passionately our perception clear, that this tax change is completely unfair. It had been ruled out by the secretary of state in the run-up to the election and now there are many family farms right across the United Kingdom that are worried for their future.”
Adding fuel to the fire, the government’s own figures reveal that the removal of Agricultural Property Relief is projected to raise a paltry £520 million a year by 2030. Meanwhile, 130,000 people and counting have signed a petition to stop the family farm tax – yet another tax Labour ruled out. A farmer and activist tells Guido:
“The electorate are livid. People have had enough. The government are going to be absolutely shocked by the vast number of people who are going to be aligned with the farmers’ plight. This is the last straw.”
Expect farmers to plough through the spin on the 19th and potentially beyond…
