Thousands of farmers to descend on London as Met Police gives green light

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We don’t want to bring the capital city to a stop or disrupt roads.” The NFU’s “mass lobby” event, taking place on the same day, is being held to allow its members to petition MPs to overturn changes in the Budget to agricultural property relief and business property relief. The event – which the NFU has emphasised will “not be a protest” – will see 1,800 NFU members, in three rotations of 600, lobby parliamentarians at Church House Westminster. NFU president Tom Bradshaw said the union was “supporting” the protest, telling BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “What we cannot do is take responsibility for people in the streets. We aim to protect the public, prevent crime and disorder and minimise disruption to London’s communities.” A government spokesperson said: “The government’s commitment to our farmers remains steadfast.