FORMER Top Gear and Grand Tour presenter Jeremy Clarkson has shown support for a Cumbrian MP, as businesses move to ban Labour MPs.
Jeremy Clarkson has become the latest pub landlord to take a stand against the Government’s Budget and rising business rates by refusing entry to every Labour MP at his Cotswold pub.
His move comes as a nationwide campaign, ‘No Labour MPs’ has gained momentum, with more than 250 pubs, restaurants and hotels reportedly signing up to bar all of the 404 Labour MPs in protest at rising taxes.
The Government is replacing the temporary Covid era rates relief with a system where a typical pub’s rates could rise by £6,000 or more a year, outlined in Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget.
However, the Clarkson’s Farm star turned to X (formerly Twitter) to ban all Labour MPs, apart from one, Markus Campbell-Savours, who represents the rural Cumbrian seat of Penrith and Solway.
Clarkson wrote: “To be clear, I have banned all Labour MPs from my pub, except one: Markus Campbell Savours. He’s welcome any time.
“And not just because the Labour Party has now sacked him.”
Mr Campbell-Savours, who has represented Penrith and Solway since last year, was stripped of the party whip, for not toeing the line after voting against the government’s controversial inheritance raid on family farms.
Mr Campbell-Savours was the sole Labour MP, who refused to back the party’s inheritance tax raid, although dozens of Labour MPs abstained.
The government intends to apply a 20 per cent levy on farm estates valued above £1m from April.
The plan has already driven tens of thousands of farmers to London to protest, many warning that the tax would saddle small family farms with bills so large they would be forced to sell up permanently.
Social media has exploded with messages of support for Mr Campbell-Savours, who said he had to do all he could for his predominantly rural community.
The MP exclusively told The Cumberland News: “I’m gutted,” he said. “But it does not change me, or my resolve.”
