Dozens of farmers protested in tractors outside the Welsh Labour conference where Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer defended his government’s recent Budget measures, according to media reports. 

Speaking at the conference in Llandudno, Conwy, Starmer said he would defend the Budget “all day long” for taking “tough decisions that were necessary to stabilise our economy”. 

The protesters opposed changes to inheritance tax rules for farms announced in the Budget. 

Under the changes which will be put into practice from April 2026, farms worth more than £1m will face an inheritance tax rate of 20 per cent. 

Farmers across England and Wales have expressed anger that farms will no longer get 100 per cent relief on inheritance tax, as laid out in Rachel Reeves’s budget last month, according to a Sky News report said on November 17. 

Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said if farmers decide to protest, the government will draw up plans to ensure food security. 

Haigh said she was not concerned about the prospect of food shortages caused by decreases in farming output, telling Sky News that “We put forward food security really as a priority, and we’ll work with farmers and the supply chain in order to ensure that.” 

She said: “The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will be setting out plans for the winter and setting out – as business as usual – contingency plans and ensuring that food security is treated as the priority it deserves to be.” 

On the other hand, several social media users on X (formerly known as Twitter) stated their beliefs the farmers should be supported. 

An X account called “Concerned Citizen” (@BGatesIsaPyscho) said: “The Farmers have had enough Protest this Tuesday in London Regardless of your political views – everyone should all get behind the Farmers – they grow us food.” 

Another X user @Sophia308405 said: “The importance of farmers in food production cannot be ignored, and it is very important to ensure that their interests are protected. Through active dialogue and support, society can better understand and respond to these challenges” . 

“Calling on the public to pay attention to farmers’ livelihoods and the security of land is an effective way to make more people aware of this issue. I hope more people can work together to support local agriculture and food security,” she said. 

Richard Houdershell @Hou54220Richard said: “The entire nation should be behind these farmers. Cars, trucks, bicycles and motorcycles and pedestrians everybody should be out supporting these incredible people who feed the nation.” 

As the government has so far not shown any flexibility in terms of amending the budget, the farmers will not renounce their stance and will likely stage more protests.