Tractor protest forces Prime Minister to abandon visit to building site

Sir Keir Starmer was forced to cut short a visit to promote his housing policies after a noisy protest by tractor-driving farmers.

Around a dozen agricultural vehicles blocked the road near a housing project in Milton Keynes while the Prime Minister chatted to workers.

The tractors’ musical horns could be heard blaring across the building site shortly after Sir Keir arrived.

It is the latest in a series of protests staged by farmers in response to the budget’s changes to inheritance tax.

The Prime Minister postponed planned media interviews when the visit was cut short due to the concerns about the protest.

Farmer Richard Miles, who travelled from Welford, Northamptonshire, told the PA news agency: “We are not being listened to at all, that’s why we feel we have to come and see him in person.”

As the car carrying the Prime Minister left the site, farmers could be heard shouting “just talk to us”.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “Thames Valley Police facilitated a peaceful protest off the A509 and liaised with the protesters at the scene.

“Officers from the local policing team engaged with the protesters.

“No arrests were made or necessary. The protest has reached its conclusion and the group are now dispersing from the area.”