15-strong tractor convoy heading to Basingstoke arena

The convoy, organised by Farmers Take Action (FTA), is heading to The Hampshire Arena at the Hampshire Court Hotel in Basingstoke, where Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman are due to appear at a sold-out Reform rally starting at 5.30pm.

The group plans to use the protest to highlight the importance of national food security and a strong agricultural sector in the run-up to the elections.

Around 15 tractors are expected to take part, travelling from across the region to deliver their message directly to the public.

Farmers To Action day of protest. Farmers across Hampshire took to their tractors to take part in a previous protest in Basingstoke (Image: Sean Dillow (The Big Cheese Photography))

Christopher Marchment, a farmer and member of Farmers Take Action, said: "Farming and the countryside are being crucified at the moment by this and previous governments’ policy. Food security and farming should be top of the agenda. ‘Our Farmers Your Food Everyone’s Future.’ Time to back our farmers. That’s why are here."

The protest is part of the Together Association’s Take Back Democracy Tour, which aims to raise awareness and encourage debate ahead of the elections.

The FTA is also calling for sweeping changes to inheritance tax.

They say it should not only be scrapped for family farms, but removed altogether.

Current world events are putting a spotlight on the dangers of current government policies towards farming and the agricultural sector as a whole.

FTA say Inheritance Tax (IHT) should be dropped not only for family farms but for all. They claim that without food security, and in light of global volatility impacting the price of energy, as well as much else, national food security and the sector as a whole is being put at risk by the government.

Alan Miller, co-founder of Together, said: "At Together, we are going to continue to push back and support our farmers across the UK. With local elections upcoming on 7 May we are going to take back democracy."

The Take Back Democracy Tour will next head to Glasgow on March 25.

The tour includes a series of nationwide rallies taking place on April 27.

Events are planned for Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and London.

Speakers at the rallies will address a range of issues, including digital ID, food security, and opposition to net zero policies.

The FTA hopes the visibility of their tractor convoy will encourage voters to think about the role of agriculture in national policy.

They want food production and rural livelihoods to be at the heart of the political conversation.

Despite the protest, FTA has stressed that it wants to engage in constructive dialogue with policymakers.

The group believes that with the right support, UK agriculture can remain competitive, sustainable, and resilient.

The tractor convoy is expected to attract significant public attention as it makes its way to the rally.

Organisers are urging the public to consider how changes in agricultural policy affect not just farmers, but the entire country.

The FTA argues that secure, affordable, and locally produced food depends on a strong and supported farming sector.

They hope their message will resonate with voters and influence the political agenda ahead of the May elections.

Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman will meet the protesters at 5.30pm at the rally in Basingstoke tonight, March 10.

The presence of the protest is likely to add another layer to the evening’s discussions, putting food security and farming firmly in the spotlight.