Farmers March on Westminster to Rally Against Proposed Inheritance Tax Measures

December 11, 2024 TruthUSA

According to Save British Farming’s founder, Liz Webster, who co-organised the protest, the Labour government’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farms have been described as ‘Stalinist.’

Thousands of farmers gathered in London to protest against proposals to introduce inheritance tax on farms, which campaigners have labeled as “Stalinist.”

Demonstrators met in Whitehall for the “RIP British Farming” protest, urging the government to reconsider its decision to introduce a 20 percent inheritance tax on farms valued over £1 million, a financial burden that farmers claim they cannot afford.

Speeches were delivered outside Downing Street, and a convoy of tractors paraded through Westminster, passing by the Houses of Parliament.

One farmer, 50-year-old Will Elliott, drove his tractor for three hours from his farm near Grafham in Surrey.

Elliott expressed, “The industry is already struggling, and this is another blow to us.

“Our aim is to pass it on to the next generation, but farmers are asset-rich, cash poor, and we won’t have the funds to pay the inheritance tax.”

Last month, around 13,000 people protested against the Budget’s impact on farming, with prominent figures like Jeremy Clarkson, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and politicians Kemi Badenoch, Sir Ed Davey, and Nigel Farage participating in the demonstrations.

‘Stalinist’

The protest was jointly organized by Kent Fairness for Farmers and Save British Farming.

Save British Farming’s founder, Liz Webster, characterized the Labour government’s inheritance tax proposals as “Stalinist,” drawing parallels to the policies of former USSR leader Josef Stalin who targeted prosperous farmers, known as “kulaks,” and took over their land.

Prior to the march on Tuesday, Webster stated: “The Labour government’s anti-farming measures are reminiscent of Stalinism and pose a real threat to us all as food is essential for survival.

“Losing the ability to sustain ourselves means losing control, and we learned in the World Wars that food security equates to national security.”

Jeff Gibson, founder of Kent Fairness For Farmers, questioned whether future farmers should be expected to start their careers “bearing a 10-year tax burden because their predecessors passed away.”

Not Realistic

The government asserted that the inheritance tax adjustment was necessary to fill the “£22 billion financial shortfall” left in the public coffers by the previous Conservative government.

Officials claimed that the tax would only impact a small number of affluent landowners who are not actively involved in farming but exploit Agricultural Property Relief to evade inheritance tax.