Angry farmers from Norfolk were among thousands who brought the concerns of the countryside to the heart of London, during a momentous day of public action against "crippling" inheritance tax changes.
An estimated 40,000 farmers were in London for the rally and other mass lobbying events.
Norfolk farmers were among the welly-wearing protesters who converged on the capital to make their voices heard against the government's controversial budget.
Last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves sparked fury by announcing agricultural property relief (APR) would be cut for farm assets worth over £1m, leaving family businesses facing a crippling 20pc tax bill when handing land down to future generations.
Ministers can now be left in no doubt about the strength of feeling across the industry after farming leaders, politicians and celebrities joined a vociferous rally in Whitehall.
The protest took place within shouting distance of Downing Street, with farmers urged to "rattle the chancellor's windows" with their cheers.
Placard slogans included "Don't bite the hand that feeds", "Starmer the farmer harmer" and "No farmers, no food, no future".
Among the Norfolk farmers at the rally was Graham Shadrack, who farms near Attleborough and will take over as the Norfolk chairman of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) in February.
He said: “I feel a sense of pride to have been a part of it, and to make our point.
"It shows the strength of feeling in the industry, not just from Norfolk, but from all over the country.
"Whether or not we have been able to change the government’s minds, only time will tell, but we can only hope they reconsider.
"To have brought it out in such a short space of time has been one of the biggest kicks in the teeth we have had since the Second World War."
David Hill, who organised a coach for about 50 fellow farmers from his family's farm at Bradenham, near Dereham, said: "I think it has gone very well - we couldn't do any more. We had far more people here than anybody dreamed.
"I think ministers might be surprised by the strength of feeling. They have sorely underestimated it.
"But I think we are just staggered that the government can be so ignorant, and I am flabbergasted that we should end up in this position."
Shipdham farmer Chris Eglington travelled to London in a new fleece embroidered with the slogan Save Family Farms.
He said: "I have never been on any protest march before, or even go to London hardly.
"It is the countryside I’m worried about, farmers are just a part of it. If the farmers go then everything else is going to go."
Celebrity farmer Jeremy Clarkson was met with loud cheers after his message to the government, begging them to accept the change was a mistake.
National Farmers' Union president Tom Bradshaw said: "Today is not about left and right, it is about right and wrong. It is about policy, not politics - and this policy is wrong.
"It is a betrayal. Most importantly the human impact is simply unacceptable. Generations who have worked their socks off to feed this country are being cut off at the knees."
Norfolk farmer David Cross, his wife Kathryn and sons Rufus, 17, and Barney, 13, went to London for the protest.
Mrs Cross said: "There are far more farmers affected by this than the government realises. It is not targeting just the super rich."
Hannah Howell, 19, whose family farms at Bintree near Fakenham, is also chairman of Swaffham Young Farmers' Club (YFC).
She said: "We think it (the tax change) is disgusting. If anything, farming should be the most supported job role in Britain, not have things taken away from us.
"It is such a struggle already. People are up at night worrying about money even before this, so we don't need this added on as well."
The crowd was so large that a planned march to Parliament Square was cancelled.
At the same time as the rally, the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) held a separate mass lobby of MPs with 1,800 of its members at the Church House conference centre in Westminster.
There, farmers asked their MPs to "look them in the eye" and tell them whether they truly support the changes outlined in last week's budget.
The EDP's "Fair deal for farmers" campaign is calling for ministers to scrap the policy, which would force many family farms - already struggling with the impacts of high costs, dwindling subsidies and extreme weather - to sell off land to pay death duties.
The government has defended the tax changes as “fair and balanced”, with prime minister Sir Keir Starmer saying he was “absolutely confident the vast majority of farms and farmers will not be affected”.
But farmers have challenged the Treasury figures, pointing instead to Defra data suggesting 66pc of farm businesses are worth more than the £1m threshold at which inheritance tax will now need to be paid.
The NFU says "very few viable farms are worth under £1m", which it adds "could buy 50 acres and a house today".
In a statement before the protest, Ms Reeves and environment secretary Steve Reed, said: "With public services crumbling and a £22bn fiscal hole that this government inherited, we have taken difficult decisions.
"The reforms to agricultural property relief ensure that the wealthiest estates and most valuable farms pay their fair share to invest in our schools and health services that farmers and families in rural communities rely on."
Among Norfolk politicians at the event were Great Yarmouth Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe, North Norfolk Liberal Democrat MP Steffan Aquarone and North West Norfolk Conservative MP James Wild.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel