Organisers of this week’s farming rally have confirmed that Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, was excluded from the event’s speakers’ list due to his controversial views on Brexit and his divisive rhetoric.
The Decision to Exclude Farage
While politicians and ministers from various parties were invited to speak, Farage was not extended an invitation. The organisers of the rally, led by farmers, explained that his involvement would be a distraction from the event’s core purpose.
Farmers aimed to keep the rally as apolitical as possible, with the primary goal of persuading the Labour government to reconsider proposed changes to inheritance tax. These changes would introduce a 20% tax on farms valued over £1 million.
Keeping the Rally Non-Political
Olly Harrison, a farmer and one of the rally’s organisers, stated, “The event is non-political. We have invited representatives from all political parties to speak, but we don’t want our event used for political point-scoring. We want it focused on the farmers and the issues we are currently facing.”
This approach reflects the rally’s aim to avoid any political agendas and keep the discussion centred on the challenges faced by farmers.
Concerns Over Farage’s Presence
There were concerns among organisers that Farage’s presence at the rally might cause division within the rural community. His role in Brexit, which led to trade deals with Australia and New Zealand, has been seen by many farmers as detrimental. These deals have been criticised for undercutting British farmers and leading to subsidy cuts.
Farage, however, dismissed these concerns, stating, “Brexit is barely relevant, other than the fact that we are now in charge of our own agricultural policy.”
The Government’s Role
A spokesperson for the farmers’ rally explained that organisers had considered many offers for contributions to the event. The aim was to foster dialogue with the government, which had been invited to send ministers. However, the government declined the invitation to speak.
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