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
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    1 month 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
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    1 month 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
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      1 month 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.

  • TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    Calling a tax change that will only affect people that have several million in assets “ethnic cleansing” is disgusting.

    A tax change on the mega wealthy is not the same as the fucking holocaust. Jesus fucking Christ.

  • Jackthelad@lemmy.world
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    1 month ago

    You always get fringe groups hijacking protests for their own aims.

    The Socialist Workers Party turn up to literally everything.