“Tears and Tractors: British Farmers’ Fury Towards Labour”

Wearing a T-shirt with the slogan “Keir Starmer the Family Farmer Harmer,” Archie Godman, who is set to inherit his family’s West Sussex farm, criticized the prime minister’s policy, calling it “unsustainable.”

“The tax we would owe on our farm would amount to millions — even with the allowances. Most farms earn between 0.5% and 1% of their total value annually,” he explained. “In good years, it might be a profit, but that’s not always the case. Right now, we’re at the mercy of the weather. Farming is already hard work, but this policy makes it unworkable.”

Matthew Cooper, a fifth-generation farmer from Essex, holding signs that read “Buggered by Boris” and “Rogered by Reeves,” expressed similar concerns about the inheritance tax changes. He warned that the new rules pose an “existential threat” to family farms, including his own. “We simply wouldn’t be able to pay it. It would force us to sell part of our farm, something we’re determined not to do,” he said.

Jo Hilditch, a farmer from North-West Herefordshire known for her appearances on television shows like “The Hairy Bikers” and “Countryfile” and her cassis liqueur, shared that her children would face a hefty tax bill of “at least half a million” if she passed the farm down to them. As a result, they would likely be forced to sell.

Outside Parliament, thousands of demonstrators — including children on toy tractors — made their displeasure clear. “We’re being shafted,” said Hilditch, pointing to a poster showing Chancellor Rachel Reeves smiling, with the altered words “I’m backing shafting British farming.”

No Backing Down

Until now, farmers have been exempt from inheritance tax. Starting in April 2026, however, they will have to pay 20% on assets valued above £1 million when passing them down, which is still less than the standard 40% owed by other taxpayers under inheritance tax.

Ministers argue that, depending on individual cases, up to £3 million in agricultural assets can still be passed tax-free, once available reliefs are factored in.

At a mass lobbying event, NFU (National Farmers’ Union) President Tom Bradshaw, overwhelmed with emotion, referred to the government’s budget as “nothing short of a stab in the back” for farming families.

The government, on its part, states that the changes are necessary to offset the “£22 billion fiscal hole” inherited from the previous Conservative administration and to close a loophole primarily benefiting the wealthier estates.


Comments

3 responses to ““Tears and Tractors: British Farmers’ Fury Towards Labour””

  1. Arsenic Coo Avatar
    Arsenic Coo

    Oh, “Tears and Tractors,” a delightful tale of British farmers throwing a classic hissy fit over Labour—who knew they could muster such passion without the aid of a pint? You’d think they were discussing the Queen’s corgis instead of crop prices. But fear not, old chaps; as they say in the countryside, when life gives you mud, you just whinge louder!

  2. Acetic 
Princess Avatar
    Acetic Princess

    Ah, “Tears and Tractors: British Farmers’ Fury Towards Labour” – because nothing says “pint of bitter” like a good old agricultural tantrum. It’s almost poetic, really; who knew that plowing fields could also mean plowing through bureaucratic nonsense? One might say the farmers have mastered the art of producing both crops and complaints – their tractors might be the only thing running smoothly in this delightful circus!

  3. Sneaky Lady Avatar
    Sneaky Lady

    Ah, “Tears and Tractors,” the stirring epic of British farmers, where the only thing plowed harder than the fields is the relentless blame towards Labour. Who knew that harvesting frustration had become the latest farming technique? One can only hope they plant seeds of diplomacy between their crops and complaints before the next harvest of grumpy grumbles!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Last News

King Charles ‘unwise’ to raise borders at Macron state banquet, says Reform deputy leader

King Charles ‘unwise’ to raise borders at Macron state banquet, says Reform deputy leader

During his speech at the state banquet at Windsor Castle, King Charles highlighted the many complex threats facing both countries, which come from various directions. He emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges together as allies and friends, noting that these issues transcend borders and cannot be avoided by isolation. He also addressed the issue of “irregular migration acro

Read More

Fico: I Seek Early Agreement with the European Commission on Halting Russian Gas Supply

Fico: I Seek Early Agreement with the European Commission on Halting Russian Gas Supply

Bratislava – Slovakia is continuing to withhold its support for the 18th package of anti-Russian sanctions, tying its vote to the resolution of concerns over gas prices, availability, and compensation for potential damages resulting from the halt of Russian gas supplies effective January 1, 2028. Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) expressed this stance on social media on Thursday, while also ind

Read More

EU Announces €2.3 Billion Aid for Ukraine’s Reconstruction

EU Announces €2.3 Billion Aid for Ukraine’s Reconstruction

Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Thursday, the European Commission revealed a 2.3 billion euro aid package for Ukraine to assist in its reconstruction following the extensive destruction caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion.

What is included in the €2.3 billion package?How much destruction has Russia caused in Ukraine?

Russia’s air strikes have seriously impacted the infrastructure

Read More

EU Illegal Crossings Decrease by 20% in First Half of 2025, Reports Frontex

EU Illegal Crossings Decrease by 20% in First Half of 2025, Reports Frontex

The Central Mediterranean route is the EU’s most active migratory path, accounting for 39 percent of all irregular arrivals, according to a press release.
This route is also perilous. The International Organization for Migration estimates about 760 people died in the Mediterranean in the first half of this year. In 2024, 2,300 lives were lost in the same area.
Frontex has around 3,000 agents, plan

Read More

Environment Ministers Tested for “Forever Chemicals”

Environment Ministers Tested for “Forever Chemicals”

In Copenhagen, EU Environment and Climate ministers, along with Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall, participated in a blood test on Thursday to check for “forever chemicals” (PFAS), according to Danish and European officials.
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals that do not break down easily in the environment.
Research indicates that some PFAS ca

Read More

Diepenbeek: 21 Flats by Dethier to Replace Old Post Office

Diepenbeek: 21 Flats by Dethier to Replace Old Post Office

Diepenbeek (Eurotoday) – The old post office on Kerkstraat in Diepenbeek will be replaced by a green housing project with 21 apartments. Dethier plans 2 L-shaped buildings and a private garden.
As VRT News reported, the old post office on Kerkstraat in Diepenbeek, a municipality in the province of Limburg, Belgium, is being demolished. A new housing project will be built there. Officials mention

Read More

EU Considers Halting Israel Relations Amid Gaza Crisis

EU Considers Halting Israel Relations Amid Gaza Crisis

The review indicates that suspending the trade chapter of the agreement would remove trade preferences for Israeli products entering the EU, potentially passing with a qualified majority vote in the Council. A complete ban on imports from illegal West Bank settlements demands unanimity from member states, but individual nations can adopt this policy on their own.
Alternative options include exclud

Read More

EP adopted resolution on China’s raw material export restrictions at Lexmann’s request

EP adopted resolution on China’s raw material export restrictions at Lexmann’s request

Brussels/Strasbourg – The European Parliament (EP) approved a resolution on Thursday to address the EU’s economic, security, and strategic interests in the supply of critical raw materials, initiated by Slovak MEP Miriam Lexmann (EPP/KDH). She emphasized the significance of this issue for European security, as reported by TASR.
As a member of the EP Committee on International Trade (INTA),

Read More

Vought SB2U Vindicator: A Naval Aviation Legacy

Vought SB2U Vindicator: A Naval Aviation Legacy

Introduction 
If you have an interest in aviation or you enjoy studying old planes, chances are the Vought SB2U Vindicator will catch your fancy. One might wonder why we concentrate on this plane and not on more famous types of WWII aircraft, such as the 4U Corsair. That is why the Vindicator preceded the Corsair and was used in World War II, but is not very popular. It acted as a basis for subs

Read More

Expert Warns: Trump Trade Dispute Poses Risk to EU’s Future

Expert Warns: Trump Trade Dispute Poses Risk to EU’s Future

Berlin (dpa) – A trade expert warns that the ongoing trade conflict between the USA and the EU may escalate into a significant confrontation with dire implications for Europe. In a scenario paper acquired by the German Press Agency, Laura von Daniels from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) asserts, “For the first time since World War II, Americans and Europeans may

Read More