Farmers from across the UK have descended on central London today in one of the most visible rural protests in months, with tractors rolling into Westminster despite a Metropolitan Police ban on agricultural vehicles.
The demonstration on Wednesday (26 November) is timed to coincide with Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ autumn budget and had originally been subject to strict police conditions preventing tractors and other machinery from accessing Whitehall.
In the day leading up to the event, the Met Police said it had held “a number of conversations with the protest organisers to safely manage the event,” and confirmed that “conditions have been put in place to prevent protesters from bringing vehicles, including tractors or other agricultural vehicles.”
The force said the restriction was necessary due to “serious disruption” they could cause to businesses, emergency services and Londoners travelling through the area.
Conditions have been placed on the farmers protest planned for tomorrow in Westminster.
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 25, 2025
People will still be able to demonstrate, however, conditions have been put in place to prevent protesters from bringing vehicles, including tractors or other agricultural vehicles, to the…
Officers also instructed participants that they “must remain in Richmond Terrace, Whitehall within the shaded area on the map” provided.
But tractors still rolled into central London this morning, creating a display of dissent as farmers gathered to demand fairness and a future for British farming.
Horns echoed along the streets around Westminster as supporters cheered and filmed the unexpected convoy, signalling a significant escalation in the visibility of the protest.
The rally is aimed at drawing attention to widespread anger over inheritance tax reforms due to take effect in April 2026. Under the government’s proposals, announced in the 2024 autumn budget, agricultural property relief will be capped at £1 million, with any value above that facing a 50% charge.
Farmers say the changes to agricultural and business property relief could impose crippling tax burdens on family farms during succession, forcing the sale or fragmentation of long-established holdings.
Protesters argue the backlash reflects deep anxiety across the countryside, driven by rising costs, shifting support schemes and what many see as a lack of long-term certainty for British agriculture.
Legal experts say concern among farming families is well-founded. Commenting on the protest, Hannah Wallbridge, senior associate at Gardner Leader, said: “Whilst much of the focus has been on the anticipated new policies being announced today, tractors in Downing Street again this morning illustrate the impact that is still being felt in rural communities around the changes announced last year to Agricultural Property Relief.
"Unless further changes are announced today, the clock continues to run for those farming families to seek estate planning advice as to how best plan for future generations before April next year.”
With the chancellor set to deliver her budget later today, farmers hope their presence in Westminster ensures rural concerns cannot be ignored.
