London's transport bosses have been accused of "making no sense" after deciding to outlaw anti-inheritance tax advertisements that they consider "politically controversial" after allowing pro-assisted dying advertisements to air just weeks prior to a significant Commons vote.
In order to keep the matter in the minds of Members of Parliament when they return to Parliament on January 6, the National Farmers Union (NFU) was scheduled to spend £40,000 on posters outside Westminster station as part of a "Stop The Family Farm Tax" campaign.
However, the advertisements have been banned by Transport for London (TfL), which answers to Sadiq Khan, the Labour Mayor of London.
It comes after Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves dropped a fresh inheritance tax bombshell on farms worth more over £1 million, sparking massive protests from farmers with tractors marching into Whitehall.
Previously farms were exempt from inheritance tax, but under the new rules from April 2026 families will be hit with a 20 percent levy, a cost unions and farming groups say will mean many families will no longer be able to be pass down farms to younger generations.
Labour's raid on farming has been hugely controversial with widespread opposition from the Conservatives and Reform UK. Just like the debate on assisted dying bill in November, there has been lively discussion across Parliament.
But campaigners Dignity in Dying were allowed by TfL to run adverts on the network about the politically sensitive issue before a vote was due to take place in the Commons.
TfL said the adverts were compliant with its advertising policy.
TfL have also in the past approved ads by animal welfare groups calling on the Government to ban live animal exports, and approved an advert showing an showing an Islamic preacher holding a briefcase full of burning US dollars.
According to the Mail Online, TfL bosses, who are overseen by Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan, claim the NFU adverts need to be watered down to remove any attacks on the Government.
Victoria Atkins, Tory rural affairs spokesman, told the Mail "Labour know they're in the wrong" and that they were "trying to silence those who are pointing this out to their MPs".
She said: 'It may be news to the Labour mayor but Londoners and commuters eat food. They will be hit by higher food prices and weakened food security once Labour's Family Farm Tax and National Insurance hikes take their toll on British farms."
A spokesman for the NFU said: "We were surprised and disappointed that TfL refused to allow us to advertise this campaign on behalf of Britain's farmers, especially given all the campaigns from other groups they have allowed.
"It makes no sense, even within their own rules."
TfL said it had not allowed the advert because it "contains imagery and illustrations which are politically controversial" and "promotes a party political cause or electioneering".
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: "TfL has become totally politicised under mayor Khan. Our rural communities are being treated as second-class citizens by the London elites."
TfL said: "This advertising campaign was reviewed against TfL's advertising policy and was found not to be compliant."
Mr Khan's spokesman said: "The mayor has no involvement in approving or deciding which ads run on the TfL network, and TfL's policy reflects legal requirements."
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