Nigel Farage has issued a stark warning about underestimating the anger of British farmers, drawing parallels to a significant protest that rattled Tony Blair’s government in 2000.
Speaking on GB News, the MP recalled how farmers’ protests over fuel prices two decades ago led to a critical moment in Blair’s premiership.
“Don’t underestimate the fury of farmers,” Farage cautioned. “Back in 2000 there was a big, big farmers protest. They blockaded refineries all over the country in a protest at the price of fuel.”
He noted that the protests caused such severe shortages that it became Blair’s “worst moment” as Prime Minister.
The inheritance tax dispute centres on new rules that would impose a 20 per cent tax rate on inherited farmland worth more than £1million.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has suggested farmers aged 80 or over should be exempt from these rules.
Farage expressed deep concerns about the impact of the new rules on Britain’s agricultural heritage.
Nigel Farage has thrown his support behind farmers ahead of their planned protests in the capital
GB News
Speaking on GB News, he highlighted how land values affect farming economics: “You might have a 300-acre farm that is producing actually a profit of £30,000 or £40,000 a year, and it’s worth six or seven million.
“Under normal inheritance tax rules, youve got to give stuff away seven years earlier. But in the case of the farming industry, it’s never been a factor.”
He noted that while normal inheritance tax rules require assets to be given away seven years earlier, this hasn’t historically affected the farming industry.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Farmers are set to take strike action against Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s Budget announcement
PA
Farage emphasised the unique role of family farmers in shaping Britain’s landscape: “One thing about this country, and people from all around the world agree on this is we do have the most amazing landscape.”
“And actually it’s family farmers through centuries that have been responsible for much of it, and anything that damages that I’m really worried about,” he added.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is organising for hundreds, potentially thousands, of farmers to meet with MPs to argue against the tax raid.
A separate, potentially “more vigorous” protest is also being planned, though without NFU backing.
The Reform UK leader said the damage to family farms is ‘really worrying’
GB News
Some farmers are threatening strike action which could impact food supplies to supermarkets and shops, and the Metropolitan Police has already imposed a tractor ban ahead of the planned protests.
The NFU analysis suggests three-quarters of food produced by British farmers would be affected by the tax raid.
The policy has created apparent tensions between Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, and Environment Secretary Steve Reed’s department.
A growing number of Labour MPs are now opposing the policy, concerned about its impact on their rural constituents.
