Pancake rally attendees told to leave tractors at home

Organisers of a protest in London against the Labour government’s farm inheritance tax reform are urging attendees not to bring tractors.

The event, titled the Pancake Rally Day, on Tuesday 4 March, will take a different approach than previous tractor-themed protests.

The rally’s organisers made it clear that they have not received permission from the Metropolitan Police for tractors to be driven in the capital, urging protesters to leave their machinery behind.

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Martin Williams, a farmer from Herefordshire and one of the rally organisers, downplayed media reports suggesting that farmers could face arrest for bringing tractors.

However, he stressed that the protest will be a march, with attendees expected to come on foot.

“Please do not bring your tractors. We cannot have errant tractors moving up and down roads,” he told Farmers Weekly.

While tractors won’t be part of the procession, some farming machinery will be displayed.

More than £1m of agricultural equipment will be showcased, including a Class Lexion 8700 combine harvester, beet and forage harvesters, and two JCBs.

This display aims to symbolise the substantial investment in machinery required to run a farm, equating it to the £1m inheritance tax threshold that could affect a single farm.

The protest organisers are also asking attendees to sign up online in advance, helping with event planning and ensuring safety measures are in place.

Labour MP speaks out

Mr Williams welcomed the support from Labour MP Henry Tufnell, who recently spoke out against the government’s inheritance tax policy.

Mr Tufnell, who represents Mid and South Pembrokeshire, criticised the policy, calling for a raised threshold and an “amnesty” for older and sick farmers who could be hit hardest by the changes.

Mr Tufnell’s remarks are significant as the Labour government has repeatedly committed to maintaining the inheritance tax policy.

“It’s embarrassing to say you’re going to do one thing and then do another,” said Mr Tufnell in an interview with The Times.

His stance reflects growing dissent within the party over the proposed reforms, which would levy a 20% tax on inherited agricultural assets worth more than £1m, starting in April 2026.

Mr Williams encouraged as many older farmers as possible to attend the rally, saying it was a critical opportunity to make their voices heard before the spring statement.

“It would be great to see lots of older farmers turn up in London, as they will be among those affected most by this policy,” he added.

The rally will feature pancake tossing in Parliament Square at 11:30am, followed by a parade around Whitehall at 12pm.

From 1.30pm onwards, there will be an opportunity for MPs to meet farmers in Parliament Square and eat pancakes. The rally is expected to finish at about 3pm.

Call for amendment

Organisers are not seeking a full reversal of the policy, but are asking for amendments to make asset transfers easier and remove the seven-year rule that was introduced without prior consultation.

A UK government spokesperson defended the reforms, saying the changes would reduce the inheritance tax rate for farmers to 20%, offer interest-free 10-year payments, and impact only about 500 estates annually.