An angry farmer has clashed with LBC host James O’Brien on-air over inheritance tax changes, calling him a “woke liberal elite” who knows “nothing about farming.”
The fiery exchange on Tuesday came as 20,000 farmers and allies, including Jeremy Clarkson, staged a mass demonstration in Westminster against the Government’s plans to limit the full 100 per cent relief on the tax to just the first £1m.
Ministers insist that the change will not affect small family farms, and will raise much-needed money for public services - but farmers have disputed the Government’s calculations and accused ministers of taking a wrecking ball to the farming industry.
One such angry farmer, named only as Charlie, questioned how farmers could afford to pay the tax when they “only make £30k a year”.
Asked by O’Brien to break down the figures, the farmer did so - before telling him he was “the rudest person on the radio.”
When the host suggested that farmers could sell assets, such as their land, to pay for the tax, Charlie responded: “Because we don't want to concrete over the land, I know you're townie. I know you are happy in your liberal elite world of London.
“But for us, the countryside is the countryside. It is where our food comes from. You seemed to have forgotten that James!”
After O’Brien interjected with “OK mate,” he added: “I am not your mate. I hate you. I think you're an idiot. I think you're a lefty liberal woke idiot.
“Let's tarmac the Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, let's tarmac them. Yeah get some solar farms on there, why not James?
“Hey James, you like immigrants, you probably want to see some homes there as well, don't you?
“When was the last time you went to a farm?”
The combative exchange ended with O’Brien asking if he was a regular listener and why he had such strong views if he was not.
Charlie responded: “No I don't [listen to the show]. I can't stand you. I think you're an idiot … You know nothing James, stick in your London liberal leftie wokeism. You know nothing about farming. Nothing.”
The Environment Secretary on Tuesday claimed many farmers were “wrong” about the policy when claiming it could force them into hardship.
Steve Reed rejected claims that the Government has underestimated how many will be affected by plans to limit 100% property relief to the first £1 million of agricultural assets.
The remarks are likely to anger some farmers who have been taking part in large-scale demonstrations in central London to urge the Government to reverse the policy announced in the October Budget.
Ministers say the vast majority of farms will not be hit by the changes, but many in the sector have said they will be forced to sell off land to meet the costs.
