Somerset Farmers Bring Messages to Labour Conference

A trailer full of messages from farmers across the UK arrives in Frome today, part of a convoy heading to the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.

Somerset farmer Richard White, who has added his own messages to the trailer, says the protest is about more than inheritance tax. “British agriculture needs to be free,” he says. “We need to farm the way we know is right and give the next generation a chance to carry on. This is about protecting our farms, our families, and our future.”

The trailer is part of the Farmers to Action campaign, with convoys travelling from Cornwall, Scotland, and Wales to bring farmers’ voices directly to politicians. White says the messages cover both concerns and hope. “Some are very direct towards the government, but a lot are about giving children the same opportunities we had,” he explains. “We’re stewards of this land. We want to leave it in a better place for the next generation.”

He adds that the protest also highlights wider issues in farming, including bureaucracy and rules that make day-to-day work harder. “It’s incredible to see communities coming together for a common goal,” White says. “Farmers are taking time out of their busy days to make sure our voices are heard.”

The convoy comes amid growing worry over inheritance tax changes, which could see inherited farm assets valued over £1 million taxed at 20% from April 2026. White says the trailer stops in Frome today. “We want our message to reach those making decisions about the future of British farming,” he says.