Farmers’ protest will be the catalyst for change, organiser says

A week on from the farmers’ protest in London on 19^th November, one of the five organisers, Martin Williams, said it has “opened doors to conversations we never thought we’d have”.

Asked if the government is listening to farmers as a result, he said:

“100%. It was a show of unity, a show of strength that I don’t think the government were expecting and I think it will be the catalyst for some change.”

The protest was in response to the government’s decision to cap inheritance tax (IHT) reliefs for farmers at £1 million from April 2026. Farms with a net worth over £1m will be subject to 20% IHT.

Opposition parties suggested during the event that if the Labour government does not make a U-turn, they will do so if elected in five years’ time. 

“Very moving”

Tens of thousands of people attended the London protest, which was organised by Martin, Andrew Ward, Olly Harrison, James Mills and Clive Bailye.

He said it was “humbling” to see so many farmers in London and organisers were “welling up with tears” when they took to the stage during the protest. 

“From a logistical point of view, it was absolutely fantastic. To see so many people come together at an event was honestly very moving.

“It showed the feeling that in the countryside people were looking for a focal point.”

He added that he “couldn’t be more pleased” with the event and attendees made sure it was “peaceful and quite lovely”. 

Thanks to how well-mannered and well presented the farming industry was on the day, the public were “right behind us as far as I can see,” he noted.

The idea for the protest came from a Whatsapp group between three of the farmers on the day of the Budget. 

Many farmers wanted to be part of a protest but the NFU mass lobby in Church House, London, was limited to 1,800 farmers, so the trio decided to organise their own event.

“I’m not a militant person, but I feel with the pressures on the farming now and going forward in the next 12–18 months, it just felt like there needed to be a line in the sand,” Martin explained. 

READ MORE: Farmers donate over 15,000 meals during protest

READ MORE: Cornwall: Over 100 tractors took part in farmers’ protest

READ MORE: Stories from the crowd: ‘Don’t argue with the countryside’ 

Will there be another protest?

Asked if more protests are planned, Martin stressed that the organisers don’t want to cause any disruptions over Christmas – but hinted that further events could happen if negotiations are unsuccessful.

“I think there’s a period now whereby we’re giving the government the opportunity to do the right thing. […]

“Then after Christmas, if we haven’t had a satisfactory result, then maybe we have to move on to something else.”

Martin thanked all those who attended the protest event in London, and those who showed their support: 

“Without them, it wouldn’t have been an event. It’s important to remember it wasn’t us that put the event on, it was the people that turned up.”

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