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On Wednesday 19 November, tractors peacefully occupied the area between Westminster and Whitehall, the heart of the institutions of the United Kingdom. Thousands of British farmers, in fact, they have protested against Keir Starmer’s Labor government’s autumn budget. The protests are focused in particular against a change to the inheritance tax very penalizing for the rural sector of the country. By decision of the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, the total exemption on agricultural properties once they are to be transferred as an inheritance has been limited to one million pounds (1.2 million euros) and from April 2026 will be paid on the value exceeding a 20% tax, with large outlays of money expected for a category already hit in recent years by various problems, including customs controls introduced after Brexit.
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the farmers’ union, accused the government of “betrayal“, as before the election victory in July Labor had assured that it did not want to change the inheritance tax. “The human impact of this policy is simply unacceptable, it is wrong”NFU President Tom Bradshaw told farmers gathered for the mass lobby. “It is destroying the UK’s food security”. Bradshaw was applauded by farmers when he warned that government measures, including increases in social security contributions, coupled with a competitive retail market, would push up food prices.
The chancellor, however, defended the measure, arguing that it is necessary to support the costs of public services, starting with healthcare.
It must be said that British farmers are rarely as militant as their European neighbors, and Britain has never seen large-scale protests like those that have brought cities to a standstill in France and other European countries. Now, however, farmers say they will step up their actions if the government doesn’t listen to them.
Elon Musk’s speech
Elon Musk also intervened in the controversy, having already been very critical of the Starmer government last summer for the management of the riots unleashed by ultra-right groups in the streets of English cities. On X, Musk compared the Labor executive to Stalin’s Soviet Union after the decision to target farmers.
Starmer: “the government is not engaged in class warfare”
The Labor governmentit’s absolutely not” engaged in a class war, said the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, interviewed by the television broadcaster “Sky News” regarding the farmers’ protests. Starmer told reporters at the G20 in Rio de Janeiro that the government was adopting a “balanced approach” to fund public services and invited farmers to think about how much funding is needed for schools and hospitals in rural communities. Asked whether he was waging class warfare against the richest, Starmer replied to Sky News: “this is absolutely not what we are doing. It’s a balanced approach. We must deal with the black hole left by the previous government”.
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How do you believe the recent protests by British farmers might influence public perception of the government’s agricultural policies?
Questions for Guest 1:
1. Can you explain the recent protests by British farmers against the government’s budget changes regarding inheritance tax? How do you think these changes will impact the rural sector of the country, especially in terms of food security?
2. The National Farmers’ Union has accused the government of betrayal. Do you think the government has been responsive to the concerns raised by the farming community? What measures could they implement to better support this crucial sector?
3. How significant are these protests compared to previous farmer demonstrations in the UK? What strategies might farmers consider if their grievances are not addressed?
4. Some have drawn comparisons between the government’s tax changes and class warfare. Do you think this is an accurate characterization? Why or why not?
5. As someone familiar with the agricultural industry, what do you see as the long-term implications of these policy changes on British farming and the broader economy?
Questions for Guest 2:
1. Elon Musk has been vocal in his criticism of the government’s handling of recent events. What are his specific concerns about the Labor executive and their approach to farmers?
2. Do you think Musk’s comments are valid, or are they simply an example of someone with considerable influence using their platform to critique the government?
3. How might the government navigate the tensions between funding public services and supporting the agricultural sector? Are there alternatives to the proposed inheritance tax changes that could address both concerns?
4. What role, if any, do you see for technological innovation in addressing the challenges facing British agriculture today?
5. As a global leader, how do you think the UK should approach its policies towards agriculture and food production in light of international events like the COP26 summit and the Russian invasion of Ukraine?
