Rural uprising set to confront Labour in Llandudno

Tractors on the promenade, boats in the bay and banners on the pier – this Saturday, the Welsh coastal town of Llandudno is bracing for a large-scale rural protest set to coincide with the Labour Party conference.

Organised by grassroots campaigners Digon yw Digon (“Enough is Enough”) with support from farmers from across Wales and over the border, as well as Farmers To Action, the demonstration is also expected to draw fishers, hauliers, food workers, pensioners and families from across the UK.

The protest will begin at 9am outside the conference centre by Llandudno Pier, with organisers promising a “loud and unmissable” message to Labour politicians.

See also: Farmers plan major demo at Welsh Labour conference

Protesters say the rally represents mounting anger from rural communities who feel sidelined by government policy – both in Wales and now also in England – and political inaction.

Central grievances include looming changes to farm inheritance tax (IHT), fisheries management, collapsing rural businesses stemming from rising costs such as national insurance hikes, and the growing influence of environmental rules which they argue are disconnected from reality on the ground.

A spokesperson for Digon yw Digon said: “Farmers are at their wits’ end. They feel they are being attacked from all angles with unworkable agri-environment schemes and policies which are threatening their livelihoods.

“The pressures and the uncertainty are ruining their mental health. In Wales, the upcoming Sustainable Farming Scheme and a new environmental bill pose a massive threat to our food security.

“Meanwhile, new bluetongue restrictions put in place by the Welsh Labour administration have created a border between Wales and England which will catastrophically harm the breeding cycle of sheep and cattle due to movement restrictions.

“There has been no consideration of any scientific evidence that will back these restrictions up.”

Industry ‘on its knees’

Gareth Wyn Jones, a hill farmer based in North Wales and a social media influencer, is set to speak at the event.

He told Farmers Weekly: “Labour has failed to listen to farmers and act on their concerns. I really think they are under a major threat as a government in Wales. The polls are telling us everything.

“People want change, they want something new. The agriculture industry is on its knees. It is the legislations and the laws, NVZs, people are having to spend thousands just to get up to spec.

“We are losing cattle in vast numbers to bovine TB. It’s not sustainable.”

‘Eco-zealots’ claim

Flyers released by Farmers To Action on Tuesday accuse Labour of allowing “eco-zealots to write the rules” and claim that current policies are not just damaging livelihoods, but lives.

One banner reads: “Labour has BLOOD on their hands,” referencing the heartbreaking inquest into the death of 78‑year‑old farmer Philip (John) Charlesworth from Silkstone, Barnsley.

Coroner Tanyka Rawden concluded that Mr Charlesworth took his own life the day before chancellor Rachel Reeves announced IHT reforms affecting agricultural assets – changes his family believe tipped him over the edge.

“We tried to talk. They didn’t listen. Now we’re bringing the message to their front door,” reads the campaign’s stark warning.

‘Bigger than farming – about survival’

Organisers say the protest isn’t about party politics but about survival. “This is bigger than farming,” said Alan Hughes, a Shropshire farmer and member of Farmers To Action.

“All agricultural, fisheries and haulage industries are being pushed to the brink by government policies strangling the life out of their businesses. This is causing suicides across all sectors due to mounting financial pressures.”

Farmers Weekly has requested comments from the UK and Welsh governments.