Labour’s rural problem has reared its head once more.
This time, the government is facing down fierce opposition over changes to inheritance tax. Unless a breakthrough is achieved, Labour’s rural problem risks becoming everyone’s problem.
Protesters showed no sign of backing down on Tuesday.
Farmers from across rural Britain got up in the middle of the night to begin their journey to London. By morning, a mile-long row of tractors had brought Westminster to a standstill.
The atmosphere was charged. “This is a war we will win, and the government will do a U-turn,” one protest organiser roared.
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There was a lot of anger, broadly pointing in the same direction, but the protest was also a menagerie, with fireworks of rage going off in all directions.
Brexiteers clashed with some pro-EU protesters who stationed themselves in front of the tractors. Others expressed their anger at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).
Some hardline farmers have already warned that they could go further, by blocking ports or withholding food supplies. In Wales, farmers have already taken action.
Last month they blocked the country’s biggest port town, Holyhead on the island of Anglesey, with 40 tractors.
Preparing for escalation
Ministers have admitted they are drawing up contingency plans in case farmers escalate the situation by going on strike.
Louise Haigh, the former transport secretary, told Sky News last month: “Of course, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be setting out contingency plans and ensuring that food security is treated as the priority it deserves to be.”
While such a prospect is still some way off, farming groups are warning that it is a possibility.
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Tractors descend on Westminster again
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However, they are worried that such a move could drain public support.
Tom Bradshaw, president of the NFU, said he couldn’t rule out food shortages. Mr Bradshaw said: “I think they (the public) should be surprised, but I can’t rule it out.”
On a charged and emotional morning, during which he gave evidence to MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee, Mr Bradshaw told Sky News: “If we’ve got to, we will carry on protesting through to the spring.”
“The public has done nothing wrong. We absolutely have to have their support. I really don’t want them to get caught in the eye of this storm. Making sure we don’t cut off their supplies, and we keep the public on side is essential to making sure the government has to listen,” he said.
Mr Bradshaw said: “The sense of anger is one I’ve never known… it’s now down to the government. The ball is in their court. They could stop this tomorrow.”