More than 250,000 members of the public have now signed the National Farmers’ Union petition campaigning against Rachel Reeves’ tractor tax.
The quarter-of-a-million milestone was reached today, with a huge surge of 50,000 additional signatures in the two days leading up to Tuesday’s protest.
It signposts the enormous support farmers in the country have, with a further 6,000 signing the petition since the milestone was met earlier today.
Responding to the news, NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “I want to send a heartfelt thanks to the public from the whole farming community for backing our campaign to overturn the family farm tax.
“At a time when farmers believe government has lied to them and let them down badly, British farmers and growers are heartened to know that they have the support of so many members of the public.
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Ms Reeves policy backlash is growing (Image: PA)
“Earlier on in the year the public decided farming was the second most trusted profession in Britain after only nursing.
“This milestone of support is further confirmation that the public values British farmers and growers for all they provide and believes they deserve more than this badly designed and poorly targeted policy that could decimate working family farms across Britain.
“Ministers must rethink the changes to Agriculture Property Relief and Business Property Relief and protect the people they say they want to.
“If they don’t, they risk reducing our food security and potential food price rises for shoppers as the cost of producing food increases.”
This afternoon a poll came out also showing that Labour are once again on the wrong side of public opinion.
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Farmers remain furious at the Government (Image: Getty)
Pollster More in Common found that 58% of voters either support or strongly support farmers, compared to just 13% who say they back the Government’s tax plans.
This is even more strongly felt among Conservative, LibDems and Reform UK voters, where support is at 70%, 70% and 68% respectively.
Nearly six in ten say farmers should be totally exempt from inheritance tax, and that when a farmer passes away their offspring should not pay.
This included 45% of Labour voters, compared to 41% who backed their own Chancellor’s cruel policy.
Just 25% of the public say Labour respects farmers, while 54% say they show no respect at all.
9 in 10 voters agree that farmers are important for keeping Britons fed, and ensuring supermarkets are stocked with food.
While 89% agree they’re important for protecting the countryside and natural environment.