Jeremy Clarkson has told the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham that farming has endured a "terrible" year, citing extreme weather conditions and mounting pressures on agricultural businesses across the country.
The television presenter and owner of Clarkson's Farm described how farmers face relentless challenges from multiple directions, including rising costs, energy prices, and geopolitical disruptions. Speaking at the conference on 5 October 2026, he acknowledged his own fortunate position while highlighting the precarious situation facing ordinary farmers without alternative income sources.
Clarkson received sustained applause from Conservative delegates but lightened the mood by observing that "a lot of people have come dressed as seats, I notice, around the edges there." He appeared alongside land agent Charlie Ireland in a question and answer format, and was introduced by Victoria Atkins, the Conservative shadow environment secretary.
What happened on Clarkson's farm this year?
The farming operation delivered almost nothing despite intensive effort throughout the growing season. When asked about his year on the land, Clarkson said:
"We worked really hard all year and we ended up with, I think I'm right in saying, three ounces of hen food. It was an absolute disaster on the farming side but, I mean, luckily we've got other projects going on now."
His experience reflects broader agricultural struggles across the United Kingdom. According to local reporting on the 2026 harvest, the Met Office recorded summer 2026 as the UK's hottest on record, with an average temperature of 16.5°C. July proved England's driest on record, with drought affecting much of the country and severely hampering crop development.
The impact on yields has been substantial. According to harvest analysis from agricultural bodies, winter wheat yields reached 6.9 tonnes per hectare, representing an 11 per cent decline below the five-year average. Spring barley fell 17 per cent below its five-year average, while oats dropped 14 per cent. Oilseed rape performed better, reaching 19 per cent above its five-year average.
What pressures are farmers facing beyond weather?
Weather alone does not explain the sector's difficulties. Clarkson emphasised that farmers encounter simultaneous attacks from numerous quarters, creating an unsustainable environment for agricultural enterprise. He stated:
"The farming is very, very difficult – very, very difficult at the moment."
He elaborated on the compound nature of these challenges, saying:
"I'm very fortunate that I do have other income streams and newspaper columns, but if you're an ordinary farmer, it's not just the weather. Remember, it's as Charlie was saying, the attacks come from everywhere – whether it's Iran or Ukraine or taxes or energy costs – whatever it might be, it's just relentless."
During the session, Clarkson also questioned the broader business environment in Britain. He asked:
"Why would anybody set up a business in this country right now?"This rhetorical challenge reflected his concerns about economic conditions facing entrepreneurs and agricultural operators.
According to additional reporting on his conference remarks, Clarkson joked that he would establish another pub but would not do so in Britain because of government policy, underscoring his frustration with the regulatory and fiscal environment.
What is Clarkson's political stance on farming policy?
Clarkson has long aligned himself with Conservative positions and played an active role in opposing the Labour government's inheritance tax proposals affecting family farms. Former chancellor Rachel Reeves announced in the party's first budget that inheritance tax would apply to family farm assets, a move that triggered significant backlash from the agricultural community.
Following sustained campaigning by farmers and pressure from Labour's rural MPs, the government subsequently watered down the inheritance tax plan. Clarkson's appearance at the Conservative conference underscores his continued engagement with party politics and agricultural advocacy.
What did Clarkson say about rural imagery and politics?
Clarkson used humour to address comments made by Labour MP Jenny Riddell-Carpenter regarding rural Britain's cultural symbolism. Riddell-Carpenter had expressed concern that the far right was shaping the vision of rural areas, describing a stereotype of "warm ale, a black Labrador by your feet in a pub that doesn't exist, and with symbolism of fox hunting all around them" as a "very far-right nostalgic vision of Britain that we don't want to have, (that) never really existed."
Clarkson responded with self-deprecating wit, joking that he qualified as a "socialist" because he drinks lager and owns two fox red Labradors. The remark highlighted the absurdity of reducing rural identity to political caricature while also defending traditional country life against what he characterised as dismissive characterisations.
What happens next for UK agriculture?
The government's official Defra estimates for 2026 cereal and oilseed production were expected in October, with final UK results due in December. These figures will provide comprehensive data on the scale of this year's agricultural underperformance and inform policy discussions heading into 2027.
The Conservative Party conference runs in Birmingham from 4 to 7 October 2026, providing a platform for senior figures to address party members and outline policy positions on issues including agriculture, rural affairs, and business regulation.
Key Facts
- Summer 2026 was the UK's hottest on record, with July the driest month on record in England
- Winter wheat yields fell 11 per cent below the five-year average; spring barley dropped 17 per cent and oats 14 per cent
- Clarkson cited weather, geopolitical disruption, taxes, and energy costs as relentless pressures on farming businesses
- The government's inheritance tax plan for family farms was watered down following public campaign and pressure from Labour rural MPs
- Clarkson questioned whether entrepreneurs would establish businesses in Britain given current economic conditions
