FTA’s Trailer of Truth rolls into Westminster

Fed-up farmers from across the UK gathered in central London at the weekend with tractors, banners, and a bold message on wheels: “Defra, we’ve had enough.”

Led by grassroots campaign group Farmers To Action (FTA), the “Trailer of Truth” convoy rumbled through the capital’s streets – from Westminster and Whitehall to Trafalgar Square and the Defra offices – shining a spotlight on the growing crisis gripping Britain’s farming industry.

The London tractor rally also received support from the campaign group All Farmers, led by organiser Matthew Trevellyan.

See also: FTA’s Trailer of Truth heads to Clarkson’s Farm

“We’re here in London today driving past Number 10 and the Defra office in Westminster,” said M Trevellyan, from All Farmers, speaking in support of FTA.

“Defra, we’ve had enough. For too long, farmers have been kept in the dark while our livelihoods are dismantled by sudden policy changes, cuts to payments, and new taxes that will destroy family farms.”

The Trailer of Truth is a mobile message board covered in handwritten pleas from farmers and supporters across the UK.

Rural policy collapse

It calls out the collapse in rural policy clarity, the burden of the Labour government’s looming inheritance tax plans on family farms, unfair supermarket pricing, and the growing reliance on imported food.

The campaign’s tagline is: “Truth over spin. Accountability over excuses.”

“You’ve paused vital schemes without warning, piled on red tape instead of real support,” Mr Trevellyan added. “We demand clarity, honesty, stability, and policies that protect British food production – not drive it into the ground.”

The route began in south-west London, before moving to Millbank and culminating in a loop through Westminster.

A final stop outside Defra’s Westminster offices ensured the department couldn’t ignore the message delivered loudly by rumbling engines, waving placards, and tractors wrapped in protest messages.

One such slogan, written on the lead vehicle, read: “RIP Farmers. Abolish the Death Tax.”

The Westminster demonstration marks a critical midpoint in a month-long protest tour that began on 3 September in Truro.

It is part of a three-pronged campaign across England, Scotland, and Wales. Each “Trailer of Truth” carries messages collected at rural markets, livestock auctions, and local events, with the aim of delivering them directly to MPs.

Each trailer carries a mobile post box, giving people the chance to post letters which FTA has pledged to hand-deliver to Labour MPs.

Lib Dem MP Alistair Carmichael’s message of support © Farmers To Action

Cross-party support

The campaign has drawn both public and cross-party political support.

Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr signed the Trailer of Truth banner, saying: “I stand in unity with our farmers against Labour’s deeply damaging farm tax, which threatens the very future of the agricultural industry and the entire rural economy.”

FTA has set up a stall at the Liberal Democrats Conference in Bournemouth, where the campaign has earned high-profile endorsements.

Lib Dem agriculture spokesman Tim Farron left a handwritten message: “Thank you for feeding us and caring for nature.”

Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland and chairman of the cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) select committee, added: “Food security is national security – let’s not forget it!”

Other Lib Dem MPs backing the FTA campaign included Ian Sollom, Sarah Gibson, David Chadwick, Alison Bennett, Andrew George, and Richard Foord.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, also made headlines when he signed a tractor at the centre of the protests in Birmingham earlier this month, declaring his support for abolishing inheritance tax on family farms.

Liverpool finale

The final week of the England leg of the Trailer of Truth tour will see campaigners visit Bakewell Livestock Market today (22 September), followed by Leek on Tuesday, Market Drayton on Wednesday, Shrewsbury on Thursday, and Ruthin in North Wales on Friday.

The tour will conclude with a high-profile protest outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Sunday (28 September).

FTA chairman Justin Rogers is set to speak at the Liverpool rally.

He will be joined by prominent farming voices including North Wales hill farmer Gareth Wyn Jones, Edinburgh livestock farmer Will Murray, and Paul Young of the Northern Ireland Veterans Movement and Rolling Thunder Bikers – a group which is escorting the trailers.

The Liverpool event begins at 1pm on Sunday at King Dock St, L1 8JS (what3words: party.chase.sculpture), with a full line-up of speeches, convoy arrivals, and music.

Welsh grassroots farming lobby, Digon Yw Digon, All Farmers, Farmers For Fairness, Midland Farmers, East Anglian Farmers Unite and Exmoor Farmers are among those supporting FTA’s campaign.

© Farmers To action

Government stance

A UK government spokesman said farming is central to economic growth and food security, citing £11.8bn in support for sustainable farming this parliament, protections in trade deals, and £1bn for a new biosecurity centre.

Treasury minister James Murray has defended the planned 20% tax on inherited farm assets worth £1m or more from April 2026 as “fair and sustainable”, claiming it will affect only around 500 farms annually.

However, the NFU, CLA, TFA and others dispute this, warning the effect on family-run farms will be far more widespread.