I went to the farmers' protest in London featuring Jeremy Clarkson - it was unlike any rally I’ve seen

Farmers have descended on Westminster in their thousands - here is what attending the protests was like

Working in Westminster, I’ve been accustomed to protests. The sounds they make, the moments where they escalate, and the sense of desperation that can engulf them.

Whether it be atrocities happening on the other side of the world, Brexit or Black Lives Matter, there is a universality to them, people from all backgrounds coming together, desperately hoping to be heard.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad
Farmers protest in central London over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules. Picture: PAFarmers protest in central London over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules. Picture: PA
Farmers protest in central London over the changes to inheritance tax (IHT) rules. Picture: PA | PA

While the latter may be true, walking through the farmers’ protest in Whitehall, I was more aware of what I could not hear, and how similar so many of the attendees looked.

There were no chants, at least where I walked through. Instead, I saw Barbour jackets. I saw quilted jackets. Wellies. Flat caps. Elbow pads. Well-bred dogs.

If you ignored the location, it was like being at Twickenham. I even saw people with pints in plastic glasses. There was also a man holding a giant box of fresh farm eggs, which could have been as a prop or to throw later on.

This was a protest seemingly made up of those who have not protested before, with a feeling more akin to anger than anguish. People had placards, sure, but other than one of a sheep saying “ewe turn”, they were not particularly imaginative. There were a few puns along the lines of ‘Starmer harmer’, but there were more signs for Reform than anything else.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They were also joined by Tory MPs, a new development for recent protests, and most tellingly, former MPs.

One told me this rally was far bigger than the media was reporting - the Met Police had estimated more than 10,000 people had joined the rally by shortly before midday. But his presence showed those who have lost their seats see this as a way back. The rage of the rural communities has been awoken.

Jeremy Clarkson speaks with the media in central London ahead of the farmer's protest over the changes to inheritance tax rules. The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? host has taken to social media on several occasions to speak out on behalf of farmers' interests. Picture: PAJeremy Clarkson speaks with the media in central London ahead of the farmer's protest over the changes to inheritance tax rules. The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? host has taken to social media on several occasions to speak out on behalf of farmers' interests. Picture: PA
Jeremy Clarkson speaks with the media in central London ahead of the farmer's protest over the changes to inheritance tax rules. The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? host has taken to social media on several occasions to speak out on behalf of farmers' interests. Picture: PA | PA

Other sightings included tractors, which are not Ulez compliant, and Jeremy Clarkson, who said he had defied doctors’ orders to join the thousands of farmers on the streets.

I really felt the farmers' anger, but it was remarkable to be at a protest for once that was about paying tax, rather than pressing a government to spend more.

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.

Dare to be Honest
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice