Jeremy Clarkson tells Conservative conference farmers face relentless pressure

Mixed · 2Jeremy Clarkson made a surprise appearance on stage at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham on 5 October 2026, where he spoke about the pressures facing farmers. 1 2 Mixed · 2He was interviewed by shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins and appeared alongside Charlie Ireland, his land agent, who also features on Clarkson's Farm. 1 2 Right · 2Clarkson said ministers had failed to understand how the inheritance tax change would affect family farms, telling the audience: "I think they didn't understand it when they introduced it." 3 1

Mixed · 2City A.M. reported that Labour capped the 100 per cent agricultural property relief at £1m, then raised the threshold to £2.5m after a U-turn in late 2025. The Evening Standard said the plans were watered down in December last year after a campaign by farmers and pressure from some Labour rural MPs. 3 2 Mixed · 2Clarkson said he is looking "quite hard" into opening another pub, but not in the UK, and asked: "Why would anybody set up a business in this country right now?" According to GB News, he said he was not leaving Britain and "probably won't" open one abroad, adding "I'm dreaming of it". 2 4 Right · 1GB News reported that he joked Piddington could count, since the Oxfordshire village held a symbolic independence referendum last month in protest at plans to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers nearby. 4

Mixed · 2He described this year as "terrible" on his farm, with hot weather leaving "three ounces of hen food", while noting that he has other income streams unlike an ordinary farmer, and said "the attacks come from everywhere", citing Iran, Ukraine, taxes and energy costs. 2 1 Right · 1The Daily Mail reported that he said Environment Secretary Angela Eagle had postponed a meeting with Ireland three times, and that he called some planning officers "low IQ". 1 Right · 1City A.M. reported he also said fewer regulations would be better for farmers, conceding there would be "bad apples" but arguing most farmers want to protect their land to pass on to their children. 3

Centre · 1The Evening Standard said he also joked about Labour MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter's remark that a Britain of country pubs and black Labradors was a "nostalgic" vision, calling himself a "socialist" because he drinks lager and owns fox red Labradors. 2 Right · 1The appearance came two days before Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch is expected to call for an inheritance tax cut in her Wednesday speech; City A.M. said she called inheritance taxes "immoral" at the weekend, while a party spokesman called the rumours "pure speculation". 3 Centre · 1The Evening Standard noted Clarkson has long been associated with the Conservatives, was close to David Cameron and was heavily involved in the campaign against the farm tax. 2