Jeremy Clarkson Calls Farming Year 'An Absolute Disaster' at Conservative Party Conference
On 5 October 2026, Jeremy Clarkson spoke at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham, describing the farming year as "an absolute disaster" due to extreme heat and rising costs. During a discussion with land agent Charlie Ireland, he revealed that his farm produced merely three ounces of hen feed despite significant effort. Introduced by Victoria Atkins, the Conservative shadow environment secretary, Clarkson received a warm reception and made light-hearted comments about the clothing of the attendees. He pointed out various difficulties facing farmers, such as geopolitical tensions and taxation, questioning the feasibility of starting a business in the UK. A government representative mentioned efforts to bolster domestic food production. Clarkson, a steadfast Conservative, has opposed Labour's inheritance tax proposals for family farms.
Key facts
- Jeremy Clarkson spoke at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham on 5 October 2026
- Clarkson described the farming year as "an absolute disaster" and said the farm produced about three ounces of hen food
- He appeared in a question and answer session with land agent Charlie Ireland
- Clarkson was introduced by Conservative shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins
- He cited Iran, Ukraine, taxes and energy costs as relentless pressures on farmers
- Clarkson campaigned against Labour's inheritance tax plans for family farms announced by former chancellor Rachel Reeves
- The inheritance tax plan was watered down last year after the farmers' campaign and pressure from rural Labour MPs
- Labour MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter had called the Britain of country pubs and black Labradors a nostalgic false memory
Entities
Artists
- Jeremy Clarkson
- Charlie Ireland
- Victoria Atkins
- Rachel Reeves
- Jenny Riddell-Carpenter
Institutions
- Conservative Party
- Labour Party
- Top Gear
- Clarkson's Farm
- ITV
- Who Wants to be a Millionaire
- BBC
Locations
- Birmingham
- United Kingdom
- Iran
- Ukraine