James May, 61, has been forced to clarify what he meant after coming under fire for his response to Wednesday's farmers' protest in London.
The former Top Gear star, best known for his work alongside presenter-turned-farmer Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, took to social media on Wednesday night to share a joke about the hundreds of farmers who'd descended on the capital.
Tractors blocked roads in Westminster having travelled from across the country, including Exmoor, Shropshire, Somerset, and the home counties, to join the protest.
The convoy adorned their vehicles in Union Jack flags and displayed signs reading "No farmers, no food" and "Save British Farming" as they drove through central London.
The protest coincided with Prime Minister's Questions and followed a similar demonstration on November 19 that drew 13,000 people who called for the government to U-turn on the agricultural tax measures outlined in its Budget.
Sharing an image from Wednesday's demo on his X page to his 3.2 million followers, May decided he'd poke fun at the vast numbers of farmers who'd driven to the capital in their tractors.
Farmers descended on London on Wednesday in protest at the government's inheritance tax measures
PA
The Grand Tour star quipped: "Must’ve been a great day for a drive in the countryside."
While several of his followers saw the funny side of his update, others took issue with the presenter-turned-pub owner finding humour with the demo.
"Not funny. This is a serious issue so please grow up," one follower hit back alongside an eyes-rolling emoji.
Another was similarly perturbed as they replied: "Are you taking the p*** out of farmers James? Shame if you are."
Must’ve been a great day for a drive in the countryside. pic.twitter.com/6e0FFjqhOT
— James May (@MrJamesMay) December 11, 2024
May fired back at the complaints, however, replying to the first user: "‘…But laughter is the key of life.’"
And he clarified to the user who suggested he may have been "taking the p**": "No. It’s a ‘joke’." (sic)
May's response was a marked difference from the likes of Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper who showed his solidarity with the protestors via his own social media page on Wednesday.
Demo organisers have said the latest show of action is in response to what they call the "toxic" Budget, which outlined changes to inheritance tax for agricultural businesses and a faster phaseout of EU-era subsidies.
Under the Budget changes announced by Rachel Reeves in October, an inheritance tax of 20 percent will apply to agricultural assets worth more than £1 million, compared to the standard rate of 40 percent for other property.
Farming leaders claim this will severely impact family farms, with National Farmers Union President Tom Bradshaw claiming 75 percent of operating farms will be affected.
The average UK farm is 250 acres, and with current land prices at around £7,800 per acre, even modest farms can be valued well above the threshold.
Farmers warn the tax changes could force the sale of land that provides their income, threatening the viability of family farming operations.
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James May (middle) alongside his Grand Tour cast mates Jeremy Clarkson (left) and Richard Hammond (right)
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The government insists its support for the sector remains "steadfast", with Environment Secretary Steve Reed highlighting a £5 billion two-year farming budget.
Ahead of Wednesday's protest, the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs announced £343 million in payments for nature-friendly farming activities, benefiting over 31,000 farmers.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "We have been very clear we are not going to change course on this policy. It was necessary to take tough decisions at the Budget."
Last month's protest drew high-profile supporters including Clarkson, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and politicians Kemi Badenoch, Sir Ed Davey and Nigel Farage.
The demonstration came as MPs on the Environment Committee hear evidence on the tax changes' impact, and as the government publishes a report on UK food security.
