Our Tractors Return to Westminster!
On October 12th Save British Farming organised our second Westminster Demo. As tractors and other farm vehicles mustered at New Covent Garden, MPs in the Commons began a debate on Amendment 16 – whether to include standards in the new Agriculture Bill. Our ‘tractorcade’ wended its way along the south embankment to Lambeth Bridge where it crossed and made its way to Smith’s Square, home to the government’s DEFRA offices. The BBC and other press were waiting, along with some politicians including Luke Pollard – Labour’s shadow DEFRA minster, and Tim Farron who holds a similar position in the Lib Dems.
From there, they went back over Lambeth Bridge, crossed Westminster Bridge and made their way to Trafalgar Square, before passing Downing Street and entering Parliament Square for a few rotations.
After the demo, tractors were directed to Old Palace Yard opposite the Houses of Parliament where the press was waiting to interview those who took part.
All in all, it was a great day, with a great publicity both on national news and in the national press the next day.
Unfortunately, the government whipped Conservative MPs to vote down the amendment, with only 14 rebelling.
The Lords will send another similar amendment back to the Commons, and we’ll be there when it arrives.
