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UK farmers slam Environment Secretary’s posh gumboots

UK Environment Secretary Steve Reed has faced a backlash from farmers after he was spotted wearing £420 (NZD $910) ‘Le Chameau’ gumboots, a luxury brand known for its premium leather-lined, handcrafted boots.

The footwear, often associated with affluent city dwellers rather than everyday farmers, was reportedly a gift from Labour donor Lord Waheed Alli, director of Le Chameau. Farmers viewed Reed’s choice as out of touch, with Pembrokeshire farmer Aled Thomas remarking that “you’ll never see a farmer who wears £400 wellies” given the nature of farm work.

Staffordshire farmer Andrew Court echoed the sentiment, calling the boots “absolutely not the kind of wellies a farmer would wear,” as anything over £100 is seen as impractical for farming.

The backlash over Reed’s choice of footwear compounds frustration within the agricultural community following recent government policy announcements.

In a speech earlier this week, Reed advised farmers to “do more with less,” which, paired with a new inheritance tax plan on business and agricultural assets over £1 million, has farmers worried about the survival of family farms.

Previously, farmland was exempt from this tax, but starting in April 2026, it will face a 20% inheritance tax.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. Trying to destroy family farms to make way for multi national owned, corporate farms, who will, of course, be exempt from any inheritance tax…..

    My advice UK, try voting Reform, if you told want you country and you family’s future, sold off…….

  2. Geez what happened here….should read….

    My advice UK, try voting Reform, if you don’t want your country and your family’s future, sold off…….

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