Farmers, rural workers and supporters of agriculture gathered in London on the coldest day of the year to force the government to acknowledge them.

Perturbed by the Autumn Budget's vitriol, the farming sector's anger culminated in Whitehall, where tens of thousands gathered to protest tax changes that pose a significant risk to the future of British agriculture.

The sectors anger has been strongly focused on the changes to inheritance tax (IHT), with the march encompassing this disdain – placing children on toy tractors at its head – to drive home the impact this reform could have on their future.

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Farmers were given the chance to voice their own stories to the crowd, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with many who will share the burden of these 'cruel' changes to IHT.

Jeremy Clarkson, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also spoke passionately about their support for the sector.

Mr Clarkson who has become a martyr for the sector, despite, in his own words, taking advantage of the previous benefits made available by Agricultural Property Relief, spoke plainly as ever.

While referencing the budget he said people across the country 'took a bit of a kick on the shin', but farmers 'got a knee in the nuts and a hammer blow to the back of the head'.

Addressing the shivering crowd in his speech, Mr Clarkson said: “For the sake of everybody here and all the farmers stuck at home, paralysed by a fog of despair over what’s been foisted upon them, I beg of the government to be big.

“To accept that this was rushed through, it wasn’t thought out, and it was a mistake. That’s the big thing to do. Admit it, and back down.”

While the protest rallied on, behind the closed doors of parliament, Defra secretary Steve Reed stated that many present were 'wrong' about the policy, reiterating the government’s belief that only around 500 farms would be hit by this change.

Taking to the stage, political opponents of the government, Ms Badenoch and Sir Ed also gave impassioned speeches decrying the treasury’s decision to target the agricultural sector.

Ms Badenoch stated that if re-elected the Conservative’s would reverse it 'at the earliest opportunity', hailing her party as one that supports the rural sector before telling onlookers: “I want you to know that we have your backs."

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed branded described the tax as 'not only cruel but stupid'. Before praising the sector for their tireless efforts: “You’re feeding our families and you’re struggling to feed your own, and that is just so wrong.”

Claire Wise, a fifth-generation farmer from Durham, garnered a rapturous reception to her speech, as she sent out a warning to the PM: “Buckle up Starmer, because you’re not gonna win this fight!”

“For five generations, for 139 years, for 50,375 days, through two world wars, through family tragedy, through a Covid epidemic, my family turned up to produce food ever single day,” she proclaimed, holding back a flood of emotion.

“You destroy me and mine and you rip the heart out of the countryside, and push food prices up.”

The crowds came well equipped with a litany of banners and signs, ranging from the serious to the down-right comical. ‘Keir Starver’, ‘don’t bite the hand that feeds you’, ‘Labour might care if we grew avocados’ all visible through the swathes of Britain’s backbone.

But the crowds also brought food.

Event organisers called on attendees to make the farming sector proud by organising a large-scale donation to food bank charities in London. Before the rally, van loads of fresh, British produce were delivered to several drop-off points.

The staff at City Harvest, one of the city's food banks, were left 'overwhelmed' by the wheelbarrow loads of homegrown produce donated by farmers.

Following the conclusion of the speeches, a march from Richmond Terrace to Parliament Square began, with a fleet of children leading the way on toy tractors.

However, due to the sheer size of the crowd, many attendees were asked to remain at the starting point for health and safety reasons.

The protest was marked by a striking diversity of ages, from elderly farmers with walking sticks to young newcomers just starting out in agriculture.

This generational mix underscored the widespread concern over the proposed changes and their far-reaching impact on the future of British farming.

NFU chair Tom Bradshaw brought the event to a close, having earlier met with MPs to lobby against the planned changes to inheritance tax, double-cab pickups, and carbon taxation.

He stated: “The ball is in the government’s court. They must decide how they will respond to this," before suggesting that further action may be forthcoming if the government fails to reconsider its position.

The protest gained widespread media coverage with outlets from France, Poland and Iran all present to follow developments.

The Met Police reported no arrests linked to the protest, although stated tractor drivers who breached barriers during the farmers' protests in central London would be reported.