Elon Musk backs British farmers protesting against Keir Starmer's inheritance tax raid in world's richest man's latest attack on Labour

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The world's richest man Elon Musk has backed British farmers protesting over the Labour government's inheritance tax changes.

Dozens of tractors drove in convoy through the streets of Beverley, East Yorkshire, today as part of a campaign by farmers against the tax they believe threatens the future of the vital industry.

And the billionaire, whose comments on Asian grooming gangs has sparked a heated political debate, gave his full backing to the rural protestors with a post on X.

Commenting on a photograph and post about the latest British farming protest against 'Socialist Labour tax policies that hurt farmers' Mr Musk commented: 'Good for the farmers.'

It is the second time Mr Musk – a key ally of President-elect Donald Trump – has voiced his opinion on the controversial farming tax changes.

Back in November he commented 'Britain is going full Stalin' in response to an article supporting the tax changes.

It was an apparent reference to the Soviet leader's forced redistribution of farmland during the 1930s, known as collectivisation.

A total of 88 tractors circled the town centre in Beverley, passing County Hall where councillors voted on a motion opposing the government's controversial plan to levy 20 per cent inheritance tax on agricultural assets worth more than £1 million.

The world's richest man Elon Musk has backed British farmers protesting over the Labour government's inheritance tax changes

Commenting on a photograph and post about the latest British farming protest against 'Socialist Labour tax policies that hurt farmers' Mr Musk commented: 'Good for the farmers' 

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pictured today leaving 10 Downing Street to attend PMQs at the House of Commons

Dozens of tractors drove in convoy through the streets of Beverley, East Yorkshire, today as part of a campaign by farmers against the tax they believe threatens the industry's future

Tractors are driven through Westminster, London, to protest the changes to inheritance tax on December 11, 2024

A supporter of the farmers holds a sign saying 'Starmer Farmer Harmer' during the rally on December 11, 2024

East Riding of Yorkshire councillors voted by 51 to 5 to support local farmers and write to the Chancellor, Prime Minister and Defra Secretary to urge a policy reversal.

Tory councillor Sean McMaster, who proposed the motion, described the tax changes as 'life-altering' and 'devastating' on farming families 'working the land for generations.'

He said the 'heinous' tax changes would 'threaten our food security and rural economy.'

'Metropolitan elites do not understand rural communities,' he said. 'We must stand with our farmers who work hard all year around to provide what we all take for granted. This government has bitten the hand that feeds the nation. Our farmers will not stand for it. The family farm tax needs to be stopped.'

NFU President Tom Bradshaw refused to comment on Mr Musk's intervention but said the protests by farmers across the country 'show the strength of feeling' in the agricultural community.