Farmers' tractor protest against Government's 'destruction' of the countryside (2025)

Farmers from across Gloucestershire have staged a protest expressing their frustration with a government they believe is out of touch with 'how ordinary people have to live. ' Today's protest in Stroud (Wednesday, April 30) saw dozens of farmers driving their tractors through the town, demanding that the government either listen or 'get out' of office.

While the primary motivation for this and all other protests remains the inheritance tax dispute, other issues they're grappling with include winter fuel allowance, council tax hikes, pensions, and the increase in National Insurance contributions for businesses. Over a dozen farmers and their tractors gathered at the Stratford Park Leisure Centre car park before embarking on the planned route around Stroud.

Nigel Jones, 64, from Cheltenham, has rallied his friends in the farming community to come together for the protest. He is a second generation farmer who says Prime Minister Kier Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves have a lot to answer for.

Mr Jones said: "My family have been farming for 65 years and I am what you call a second generation farmer. Initially we were tenants and we bought the farm 20 years ago, meaning basically we have bought it twice.

"Today we are protesting as we feel strongly about the current destruction of the county due to the government.

"The inheritance tax is a kick to the guts however what about everything else. The Labour government have gone back on everything in their manifesto and they are doing the opposite of what they said they would do.

"The heating allowance being taken away from the pensioners and the problems with pensions and national insurance and even the council tax- mine has doubled. It is affecting everything and we are protesting about this and how it is affecting the country.

"Farming costs are through the roof and we are making very little profit. The food prices for what we farm is dictated by the food chain and it is a very unstable and volatile market.

"My message to Kier Starmer and Rachel Reeves is to get out of government. You have no idea of the reality of what is going on on the ground and how ordinary people have to live."

The protest started at Stratford Park at 11am and the convoy of tractors headed to Merrywalks, then up to London Road, before towards Waitrose then to the bypass past John Stayte Services. The fleet of tractors then made their way along the A46 to B&Q in Dudbridge then headed to the Ebley bypass before returning to Stratford Park via Cainscross Road.

A Defra spokesperson said: “Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast. This Government are investing £5 billion into farming, the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country’s history.

“Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs will mean three quarters of estates will continue to pay no inheritance tax at all, while the remaining quarter will pay half the inheritance tax that most people pay, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free. This is a fair and balanced approach which helps fix the public services we all rely on.”

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