Far-right groups are seeking to hijack a farmers’ protest in London against tax changes introduced by the chancellor, Rachel Reeves.

Extremists, including close associates of Tommy Robinson, have been using social media to urge supporters to turn up at the protest on Tuesday, as farming leaders sought to remind those attending of their responsibilities.

The event is being eyed as a major opportunity for exploitation by the far right, who are seeking to promote Jeremy Clarkson as a hero after he claimed the UK government had a “sinister plan” to “ethnically cleanse” farming communities.

The former presenter has become a meme on far-right social media accounts as activists and extremist influencers applauded his comments. Nick Griffin, the former leader of the British National party, posted a picture of himself in the broadcaster’s Oxfordshire pub.

“Jeremy Clarkson nails it,” said Griffin, as he shared Clarkson’s comments.

  • cook_pass_babtridge@feddit.uk
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    8 hours ago

    I’m amazed that Clarkson has managed to paint the landowning class as salt of the earth workers who are just trying to get by. The fact that you have people who would never be affected by this tax arguing on the side of these people with massive property and assets portfolios is just wild to me.

  • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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    14 hours ago

    If Jeremy Clarkson is part of your movement you’re on the wrong side. The guy is an enormous ego with a platform.

    Why the hell would “The Government™” want to ethnically cleanse farming what the hell does that even mean?

    I do think it’s funny how he’s got massively into the whole farming thing though.

    • HumanPenguin@feddit.uk
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      3 hours ago

      Why the hell would “The Government™” want to ethnically cleanse farming what the hell does that even mean?

      As most farm owners. Like any land owner. Tend to vote right of centre.

      it seems logical that they assume the Tax is designed to force families to sell the land. Leaving it available for cheap nationalisation.

      Of course post ww2 when the labour gov had the most support and raised taxes on land last. Yes many families were forced to sell land or hand it to the national Trust.

      But that is the time the UK could have nationalised farming with little difficulty. Give how long post war rationing continued. So its hardly a viable suggestion.

    • lurch (he/him)@sh.itjust.works
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      17 hours ago

      farmers are usually rich landowners with equipment worth millions.

      right wingers are usually poor and uneducated with only a few clever people taking advantage of them.