Andrew Lloyd Webber praised for government takedown as he joins Clarkson at farmers' rally

By Gemma Jones, Showbiz Reporter

Andrew Lloyd Webber backs farmers at London protest

Andrew Lloyd Webber publicly shared his support for farmers as he joined them in protest today. Thousands of farmers descended on Westminster as they were furious about Rachel Reeves' inheritance tax raid.

The 76-year-old composer, who farms nearly 5,000 acres himself, joined the crowds as he dismissed claims that farm owners are "swimming in cash". Speaking to press he explained why he was there saying that he was attending to support small farmers, calling them "the absolute salt of the earth".

He said: "I'm here really entirely for the small farmers, not for myself." GB News host Bev Turner asked him: "It's a myth, isn't it, that all the farmers are swimming in cash?"

The musical superstar replied: "I mean, take me on paper, I have have a big asset, but in practice that asset produces nothing.

"I read a really good comment made that if actually somebody came on Dragon's Den and said that this asset only pays back 2.2 per cent, which is what most farms do, the Dragons would say this is not a business."

Andrew Lloyd Webber joined the protests (Image: GB News)

Later on, he expanded on his thoughts, as he warned that "foreigners" are looking to buy the land when farmers can no longer afford it and are "rubbing their hand with glee."

He added: “In the longer term, what will happen is they’ll all be bought by foreigners, probably outsiders. People who aren’t buying it for the love of the countryside. They’re buying it purely as a long term investment.

“Many, many, many people are hovering around at the moment, rubbing their hands in glee. I can assure you, they’re not British.”

Fans took to social media to applaud Andrew's speech. One wrote on X/Twitter: "Great work Andrew," while another added: "Good for him getting out there!"

More than 10,000 farmers descended on Westminster (Image: GB News)

A third penned: "He would know, he moves in those spheres. Decent of him to come out."

Around 10,000 farmers arrived in London today (November 19) to protest against the Government's new taxes for farms to demand an urgent change of policy from the Government.

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, caused outrage last month, when she used her first Budget to announce a hike in inheritance tax on farmers. Many have warned that the changes will kill family farming in Britain, endangering the UK’s food supply and food security.