Starmer and Reeves told to ‘show compassion’ or face ‘more farmer protests’

Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have been warned of further farmer protests and told to “show compassion” as the Government comes under further pressure over its planned farm tax.

The Chancellor announced that more farmers will have to pay inheritance tax from April 2026 in a major shake up.

But harvesters and rearers from across the country have voiced their opposition and distress at the move.

Tractors have been parked in Whitehall as part of multiple protests from farmers in recent months. Sir Keir was also forced to cut short a visit in Bukinghamshire last week due to a demonstration nearby.

Now, the Government has been warned that more protests could be held if ministers don’t amend their “disastrous” policy.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, external affairs director at the Countryside Alliance, said: “If the Government won’t engage with farmers meaningfully, show compassion to farming families or take food security seriously, they should expect further demonstrations, more visits to the countryside scuppered and a continuous drum beat of campaigning in their constituencies.

“The public side with farmers in opposition to the disastrous family farm tax, not the Government.”