Tractors head to MP’s Winsford office as farmers protest tax

Around 20 tractors and farm vehicles, one pulling a slurry spreader and another a trailer with a portable toilet on it, arrived at Andrew Cooper’s constituency office at Meridian House on Winsford Industrial Park at 11am on Monday, March 24.

The demonstration was part of a national day of protest as angry farmers up and down the country took to the streets to demonstrate against changes to the current rules which give farmers inheritance tax relief on their business assets.

Around 35 farmers and supporters rallied in Winsford to make their voices heard over new rules which mean farmers will be liable for inheritance tax on farm businesses worth more than £1 million, at a rate of 20 per cent.

And it isn’t just the land. Buildings, vehicles, equipment, and livestock will all be taken into account when the farm's value is calculated.

While farmers would be given 10 years to pay after they inherit their farms, Fred Roberts, a smallholder from Kelsall, said ‘20 years wouldn’t be enough’.

He added: “Everyone seems to think farmers are rich, but they’re not. They’re asset rich and pocket poor.

“There’s no two ways about it – this change will lead to farmers selling up, which will be a disaster for food security.

"It feels like the current Labour government have set out to destroy a whole way of life. 

“There are members of the older generation who are genuinely contemplating taking their own lives over this, instead of losing it all. 

"All they've ever wanted is to pass everything they've built on to the next generation, and all that's now being swept away. 

“As they see it, them not being around in April 2026 is the only way they can see of passing their farms on.

Farmers and their supporters outside Andrew Cooper MP's constituency office on Monday, March 24 (Image: Newsquest) “We’re already the worst sector for suicide rates, and this is going to make things unimaginably worse.

“We’re already seeing a butterfly effect. Tractor dealers’ phones have literally stopped ringing.

"Who’s going to invest £150,000 into a tractor when there’s so much uncertainly, and it’s going to be taxed as an asset a couple of years down the line.

“What the government fail to realise is farms are the foundation of societies."

John Hood, an agricultural consultant from Northwich, said: “The government says this is only going to affect a handful of farmers, but this is nonsense.

“It’s going to affect about 75 per cent of my clients.

“I just hope it doesn’t force any of them into a rash decision, by which I mean, a decision to end their lives.”

Chris Woodcock, who farms in Comberbach, said: “Once we’ve gone, we’ve gone.

“You can’t just pick someone off the street and send them to college for two years and stick them on a farm. 

Agricultural consultant, John Hood from Northwich, says up to 75 per cent of his clients will be adversely affected by Labour's the new tax rules (Image: Newsquest) “I’ve been learning this job since I was three or four years old.”

The farmers hoped Andrew Cooper would be at his constituency office to discuss their concerns, but the office was closed for the day.

Fred says staff in a neighbouring building told him Andrew’s staff were told to take down signs identifying the office, close all the blinds, and work from home for the day.

He added: “We find this pretty insulting to be honest.

“We informed Andrew Cooper he’d be holding a peaceful demonstration and invited him talk to us.

“We’re not at all impressed.”

Responding to the farmer’s request for an interview on March 24, Andrew Cooper said: “I fully respect and support the right to peaceful protest, and I welcome any constituent who wishes to raise concerns in a respectful and constructive manner.

“Unfortunately, I will not be in the constituency on Monday, as I will be in Parliament for a number of pre-arranged meetings and participating in the Second Reading of the Planning and Infrastructure Bill - an important stage of legislation that I am committed to scrutinising on behalf of our community.

“Last year, I was pleased to welcome farmers from Mid Cheshire and representatives from the NFU to Parliament during their national lobby.

“I listened closely to their concerns and raised the issues directly with Ministers in the Treasury.

“I’ve since made further representations, and I’ve also visited several farms across the constituency to hear first-hand from those working in the sector.

“These conversations have helped shape my understanding of the challenges facing farming families and rural communities alike.”