Jeremy Clarkson had a fiery response to Keir Starmer after Labour’s proposed 20 per cent inheritance tax hikes, which Clarkson previously said could be “the end” for farmers.
In the new season of Clarkson’s Farm, which premieres on 3 June, Clarkson decided to burn an effigy of the prime minister in place of Guy Fawkes on Bonfire Night.
While educating farm companion Kaleb Cooper on the history of Fawkes, Clarkson said: “But you don’t have to have Guy Fawkes on the top of the bonfire; you can put anything you don’t like.”
Cut to Clarkson dressing up an effigy as Starmer, before prodding him with a stick while placing him at the top of the bonfire, days after Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered her Budget in October 2024.
“Given the strength of feelings around here post-Budget, it felt good to make fun of the government,” Clarkson narrated.
“But all of us knew that to try and stop this astonishing attack on British farming, fun wouldn’t cut it – and that soon, we’d have to get serious.”
Weeks later, Clarkson would join an estimated 10,000 to 40,000 people protesting against the hikes, with farmers urging the government to reconsider its plans to impose the 20 per cent tax on farmers who have a business worth more than £1m.
The Independent has contacted Starmer for comment.
Speaking to The Times at the protests, Clarkson was asked whether part of the problem with the ongoing debate is that rural poverty is often hidden, meaning politicians and the general public are unaware of the hardships that farmers often face.
“Yes. And one of the problems we have on the show is we’re not showing the poverty either, because obviously on Diddly Squat, there isn’t any poverty,” Clarkson answered.
“But trust me, there is absolute poverty. I’m surrounded by farmers. It’s people with 200 acres, 400 acres. Way past Rachel Reeves’s threshold. They are f***ed.”
He revealed that Cooper’s former temporary farm manager replacement, Harriet Cowan, wants to inherit her dad’s farm, but can’t as “there’s no money to pay her”.
“So she works on the farm four days a week and then is a nurse for three days a week,” Clarkson continued. “She never goes on holiday. She never has a night off, can’t go out. She’s got no money to spend.”
Clarkson previously banned Starmer from his Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog. The TV presenter admitted running a pub in the current climate is tough and, while calling for the government to offer more support to businesses, he said Starmer was not welcome.
”He's actually the first person to be banned,” Clarkson told Times Radio. “It's actually on a board in the hall. He hasn't done much to endear himself to me yet.”
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