Jeremy Clarkson has addressed the speculation of a career switch into politics for the first time since he sent the rumour mill into overdrive earlier this month.
The Clarkson’s Farm star, 65, was best known for fronting Top Gear and The Grand Tour before ditching life behind the wheel of the latest sports car for one in his tractor.
Since dedicating his time to farming and starring in Amazon’s hugely successful Clarkson’s Farm, Mr Clarkson has also become a more vocal critic of the Labour government, particularly following the inheritance tax changes it announced it would be implementing on the agricultural world.
But in his latest swipe at the government, Mr Clarkson hinted he could run as an opponent in his hometown constituency of Doncaster North – a seat currently held by Net Zero Secretary, Ed Miliband.
Jeremy Clarkson has teased a possible political career switch
|
GETTYHe took to X earlier this month to tease: “People of Doncaster North. Are you happy with your MP? Would you like it if someone from your neck of the woods kicked him out?”
The social media post garnered widespread attention, with the likes of Reform UK’s Zia Yusuf just one political figure who endorsed Mr Clarkson’s potential career switch.
However, he has had his critics, and in a recent social media interaction among his followers, Mr Clarkson chipped in to address the apprehension over a possible political switch.
His remark came after one X user mused: “Actually, I would quite like @JeremyClarkson to stand against Miliband, take his seat, then do a Netflix series exposing the corruption, mediocrity and incompetence of Westminster. Clarkson’s Parliament would be a winner.”
One critic who isn’t fond of the idea penned in response: “He’d be f***ing useless as an MP.”
“He’s useless as a farmer,” another follower weighed in, pointing out: “That’s the point.”
Rather than getting dragged into a slanging war, Mr Clarkson decided to reply to the X users with the self-deprecating response: “I’m actually getting better.”
Mr Clarkson is yet to unveil concrete plans to back up his challenge to Mr Miliband, but it hasn’t stopped the Labour politician from addressing them himself.
LATEST CLARKSON’S FARM DEVELOPMENTS
Mr Miliband has represented Doncaster North since 2005, and was asked about the potential challenge from the Clarkson’s Farm star during a recent interview on Sky News.
He replied with a chuckle: “I think he is a sort of long-standing aspirant to my seat. I think he said in 2013 that he was going to contest my seat.
“So look, it’s for other people to decide if they want to stand for Parliament, including in my seat. I welcome all comers. Let’s see what happens.”
Mr Miliband won Doncaster North with a majority of more than 9,100 at last year’s election, but the future isn’t looking particularly bright at the moment.
According to current polling, Mr Miliband would likely lose his seat to a Reform UK candidate if an election were held today.
However, Mr Clarkson would unlikely be that candidate given his previous public swipes at Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
Jeremy Clarkson has addressed his potential political stint for the first time
|
X
The 65-year-old claimed Mr Farage’s numbers “don’t add up” and any time he faces scrutiny over his proposals, he “scurries away to his safe space” and talks about “small boats”.
However, his criticism of Reform UK is small fry compared to his persistent damning assessments of Labour, particularly Chancellor Rachel Reeves.