Jeremy Clarkson Bars Hundreds of Labour MPs from His Pub Amidst Tax Protests
Jeremy Clarkson, the renowned motoring journalist and farmer, has once again made headlines for his strong stance on pub policies, this time extending a ban to a significant portion of the UK’s political landscape. His establishment, The Farmer’s Dog, has reportedly barred 403 individuals, all of whom are Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Labour Party. This sweeping exclusion comes as a direct protest against what Clarkson describes as “astronomically” rising business rates.
Clarkson, who has a history of barring notable figures – including former Top Gear co-star James May and a patron who requested Tabasco in her Bloody Mary – stated his reasons for the widespread ban to The Sun. “To be clear, I have banned all Labour MPs from my pub,” he declared, citing the dramatic increase in his annual business rates from approximately £28,000 to “well over £50,000” as the primary driver for this drastic measure. He unequivocally labelled this situation “a disgrace.”
The TV personality’s discontent extends beyond just his local establishment. In a recent column for The Times, Clarkson directed his criticism not only at Prime Minister Keir Starmer but also at Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester. He expressed a desire for Britain to avoid further decline, suggesting that Burnham might be better off focusing on his current role rather than aiming to replace Starmer, whom Clarkson described as a “hopeless idiot.” His sentiment was clear: “I want Labour gone, not boosted by a leader who seems to know what he’s doing.”
This is not the first time Clarkson has voiced his concerns about the financial viability of his farming and hospitality ventures. He has previously lamented the significant effort required to generate minimal profit from his farm, and described the pub business as even more challenging. “The customers are coming. There’s no problem there. But turning their visits into a profit is nigh-on impossible,” he wrote in his column, highlighting the struggle to translate customer footfall into financial success.
An Exception to the Rule
Despite the broad ban, Clarkson has made a notable exception. He publicly declared on X (formerly Twitter) that Markus Campbell-Savours, the Member of Parliament for Penrith and Solway, is “welcome any time.” Clarkson playfully added, “and not just because the Labour Party has now sacked him.” This exception is understood to be linked to Campbell-Savours’ recent vote against the government’s proposed changes to tax rules concerning inherited farmland, which are set to take effect from April next year.
Clarkson’s action aligns with a broader movement within the hospitality sector. He is not the only pub landlord to publicly bar Labour MPs. This protest is part of a campaign known as ‘Taxed Out,’ which aims to raise awareness and challenge the escalating business rates faced by the hospitality industry.
The ‘Taxed Out’ Campaign and Government Response
The ‘Taxed Out’ campaign encourages pubs to display posters and use beermats bearing the slogan ‘No Labour MPs.’ Organisers of the campaign claim that since the 2024 budget, the hospitality sector has seen an estimated loss of 89,000 jobs. Their website details a grim reality for many businesses: “Hospitality businesses are reporting jobs being lost, hours cut, investment cancelled, and businesses closing.” The campaign argues that the tax burden on the sector is disproportionately unfair, asserting that even before the recent budget, hospitality was contributing more tax than any other economic sector.
In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for the Prime Minister stated that the Chancellor has implemented a £4.3 billion support package for pubs, restaurants, and cafes, acknowledging hospitality as a “vital part of our economy.” The spokesperson highlighted that without government intervention, pubs would have faced a 45% rise in bills, which has been reduced to just 4%.
Further measures mentioned include the continuation of the draught beer duty cut, the easing of licensing rules for pavement drinks and events, and the capping of corporation tax. “These measures show we’re backing hospitality not abandoning it,” the spokesperson concluded.
Clarkson’s Broader Criticisms
While it remains unclear if Clarkson is formally affiliated with the ‘Taxed Out’ campaign, his vocal criticism of Labour figures, particularly Keir Starmer and Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, is well-documented. In a notable moment during the fourth season of Clarkson’s Farm, an image of Rachel Reeves briefly appeared on screen as Clarkson voiced his objections to her proposed inheritance tax rules. Clarkson has expressed concerns that these new rules could jeopardise the future of farming and the UK’s food security.
has approached Jeremy Clarkson, Markus Campbell-Savours, and the Labour Party for comment on this developing situation.
