Farmers To Action to ramp up ‘Say No to Labour’ protests

Hundreds of frustrated farmers and members of the wider public are gearing up for a new round of protests against the Labour government.

Organised by Farmers To Action, a grassroots group championing for farming communities and the wider public, the protests will take the form of tractor rallies and demonstrations across England from April 10 to 12.

Farmers To Action is taking a stand against what they describe as the Labour government’s “all-out assault and damaging policies towards the agricultural sector, small businesses, veterans, pensioners, students, and the general public”.

See also: Farmers block Defra minister’s exit in Tavistock protest

The group argues that Labour’s policies are putting both the future of farming and the self-interest of many citizens in jeopardy.

This fresh wave of protests, part of their “Say No to Labour” campaign, is focused on towns and cities with significant Labour council representation, with campaigners aiming to raise awareness ahead of the local elections on May 1, 2025.

Key protest locations are planned across Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Derbyshire, and Wiltshire, where farmers and the wider public hope to amplify their message to local voters and government officials. For further information, see farmerstoaction.com.

A Farmers To Action spokesperson said: “We’re focusing on areas with a significant number of Labour-held seats in the upcoming local elections.

“We’re aware that Labour has postponed many elections until next year in order to try and protect themselves from being wiped out, but places like Oxfordshire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire still have a substantial number of council seats at stake, which is why we’re concentrating our efforts there.

“The farming industry is at a crossroads and needs to come together and unite as one so it’s great to see the likes of Clive Bailye, Andrew Ward, Gareth Wyn Jones, The Farming Forum and The BFU (British Farming Union) recognise this and come out in support with us.”

‘Annul inheritance tax’ 

At the heart of the farmer-led protests is the government’s plan to impose a 20% inheritance tax on agricultural assets over £1m from April 2026, which farmers warn threatens the future of family farms and will make it increasingly difficult for families to pass down farms to the next generation.

Farmers To Action is campaigning to abolish inheritance tax for all, a “fair and balanced approach” to farming that includes fairer prices for farmers and strengthens national food security for future generations.

Farmers to Action wants to make clear that they are “not just fighting for farmers, they are fighting for all of us”.