Thread by @JamieFonzarelli

As someone who used to represent a large, rural constituency, married into a farming family, with - shock - farming friends, a few thoughts on these shenanigans today.

The farming community isn’t a bloc. It isn’t homogenous. So when celebrity cosplay grifters turn up at a protest, it’s not wholly representative.

I’ll never forget a Labour supporting farmer - in his seventies - who came to see me about an issue. His support for Labour was based upon this: “I can’t expect anyone to buy my produce if they don’t have a pound in their pocket…”

Perfect logic.

So the Alan Partridge stereotype we see today isn’t the slam dunk the culture warrior cosplayers think it is. In fact, the optics are abysmal.

Celebrity grifters whining about having to pay - checks notes - half the rate of IHT as everyone else has led the news all week. Some people may publicly sympathise. Privately? Forget it.

I’ve never seen a more self-immolating campaign with such a profound lack of self awareness as this one. And I *used* to be an MP…

So if anyone wants to build a political career on a culture war based upon ‘some people are more valuable than others and should only pay half the taxes that ordinary people have to’ well, good luck with that and all the best in your career after politics.