Lauren Williams
Guest Reporter
Jeremy Clarkson has issued a scathing rant towards Rachel Reeves and her latest Budget announcement which is set to hit farmers and agricultural living the hardest.
The former Top Gear presenter has become a voice for farmers across the country since opening his farm – Diddly Squat – and his successful show Clarkson’s Farm.
Many farmers have branded the star a “hero” after being open and honest about the trials and tribulations of running his farm in the Cotswolds.
After Reeves announced her new plans on Wednesday, October 30, Clarkson inevitably took to his X account to slam her plans.
He simply penned: “Rachel Reeves. I literally daren’t comment,” leaving many to question how he managed to stay so silent.
Now, the Grand Tour star has finally had his say and issued a scathing rant through his Sunday Times column.
The Government announced £5 billion for England’s farming budget over the next two years, maintaining the £2.4 billion current level for 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Clarkson has been left raging, noting that farmland is no longer exempt from inheritance tax, which could be “the last straw for farmers who are already struggling to cope.”
He penned: “I was overcome with something not far removed from fury. Because, if the word on the rural grapevine about a farmer’s suicide is accurate, their policy, born of bitterness and envy, may already have tipped one man over the edge.
“And there they were grinning. In the past five years, agricultural land has become the must-have accessory for people in suits.
“And because investment bankers tend to be quite rich, the prices have gone berserk.”
He continued his rant: “Round where I live, people have been paying £30,000 an acre. That means a 500-acre farm now goes for £15 million.
“And that doesn’t include the house. Or the barns. Or the equipment. That’s just the price of the land.”
He went on to add that farmers have unfortunately been “caught in the crossfire” and thousands of farmers’ children will have to see the land and their legacy in the future.”
Taking one final dig at Reeves, he added: “I think history will see her as the most stupid, blinkered idiot ever to occupy No 11.
“I’ll stop there, though. Because if I went on, I’d be guilty of a hate crime, and these days that’s a bigger offence than paedophilia or punching a constituent in the throat.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Clarkson wasn’t the only person to issue a response to Reeves, as his colleague and friend Kaleb Cooper also issued his own response.
Posting on his Instagram, he penned: "After the news today. I want to say this and that is FARMERS KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND REMEMBER WE ALL NEED TO STICK TOGETHER. Is it time?" (sic)
Find Out More...
The former Top Gear presenter has become a voice for farmers across the country since opening his farm – Diddly Squat – and his successful show Clarkson’s Farm.
Many farmers have branded the star a “hero” after being open and honest about the trials and tribulations of running his farm in the Cotswolds.
After Reeves announced her new plans on Wednesday, October 30, Clarkson inevitably took to his X account to slam her plans.
He simply penned: “Rachel Reeves. I literally daren’t comment,” leaving many to question how he managed to stay so silent.
Now, the Grand Tour star has finally had his say and issued a scathing rant through his Sunday Times column.
The Government announced £5 billion for England’s farming budget over the next two years, maintaining the £2.4 billion current level for 2024/25 and 2025/26.
Clarkson has been left raging, noting that farmland is no longer exempt from inheritance tax, which could be “the last straw for farmers who are already struggling to cope.”
He penned: “I was overcome with something not far removed from fury. Because, if the word on the rural grapevine about a farmer’s suicide is accurate, their policy, born of bitterness and envy, may already have tipped one man over the edge.
“And there they were grinning. In the past five years, agricultural land has become the must-have accessory for people in suits.
“And because investment bankers tend to be quite rich, the prices have gone berserk.”
He continued his rant: “Round where I live, people have been paying £30,000 an acre. That means a 500-acre farm now goes for £15 million.
“And that doesn’t include the house. Or the barns. Or the equipment. That’s just the price of the land.”
He went on to add that farmers have unfortunately been “caught in the crossfire” and thousands of farmers’ children will have to see the land and their legacy in the future.”
Taking one final dig at Reeves, he added: “I think history will see her as the most stupid, blinkered idiot ever to occupy No 11.
“I’ll stop there, though. Because if I went on, I’d be guilty of a hate crime, and these days that’s a bigger offence than paedophilia or punching a constituent in the throat.”
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Clarkson wasn’t the only person to issue a response to Reeves, as his colleague and friend Kaleb Cooper also issued his own response.
Posting on his Instagram, he penned: "After the news today. I want to say this and that is FARMERS KEEP YOUR HEAD UP AND REMEMBER WE ALL NEED TO STICK TOGETHER. Is it time?" (sic)
Find Out More...