Jeremy Clarkson has ignited a political firestorm by criticizing the Labour Party after fans expressed discontent over the escalating price of his Hawkstone lager. The renowned former Top Gear host found himself at the center of a social media frenzy when a supporter praised the beverage on X, saying, “My lovely wife bought me a case of @JeremyClarkson Hawkstone lager. Very nice indeed.” However, not all responses were positive, as another user lamented, “A decent brew but £8 a pint…”

Clarkson, known for his forthright opinions, didn’t hold back in his response, attributing the rising costs to the Labour government. He retorted, “Yup. I’m afraid quite a lot of people voted Labour at the last election. And this is what’s happened.” This sparked a cascade of reactions online, with many fans voicing their frustrations about increasing prices and taxes. One disgruntled user remarked, “Tax on alcohol and tax on the money you earn to buy said alcohol. Oh and tax on the sugar that goes into said lager.”

Others joined the chorus of disapproval, with one individual arguing, “Actually not that many people did vote Labour. A quirk of first past the post. We are being ruled by an illegitimate regime.” Meanwhile, another simply responded with a bullseye emoji, encapsulating the sentiment of hitting the mark in their criticism.

The controversy surrounding Hawkstone is not new, with the brand previously drawing attention for a £95 advent calendar packed with booze and the hefty price tags on merchandise at Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog, located on the Cotswolds’ outskirts. Reportedly, items for sale included a £60 jumper, a £40 apron, a £35 dog bowl, and a £14 bottle opener, adding another layer to the ongoing debate over luxury pricing and consumer value.

Hawkstone has already courted controversy in recent months, including complaints over a £95 booze-filled advent calendar and eyebrow-raising merchandise prices at Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog on the edge of the Cotswolds. Items reportedly included a £60 jumper, a £40 apron, a £35 dog bowl and a £14 bottle opener.

Jeremy hasn’t held back in his criticism of Labour, recently accusing the party of making life “absolute hell” for farmers amid fury over proposed inheritance tax changes.

The Clarkson’s Farm star warned the plans — which would see agricultural assets over £1 million hit with a 20 per cent tax — were driving rural communities to “despair”.

Speaking on a podcast promoting a farmers’ event he is organising, he said: “It’s absolute hell now for farmers; we have an actively anti-farming Government that is making things extremely tricky for us all.”

He added: “I’m genuinely really cross, as there’s no one in Government who understands farming. We have got to get together to do something about this Government.”

Earlier this year, Jeremy floated the idea of banning people with food intolerances after being targeted by a scam. Writing in The Times, he claimed: “Food intolerance enthusiasts will claim after they leave that you poisoned them and that you must now give them 50,000 of your pounds.”

The comments followed an incident in which a gluten-intolerant customer said she had been served beer instead of cider and fell ill. Clarkson later revealed CCTV showed she had not been drinking beer.

Reacting to the ordeal, he wrote: “I’m seriously thinking of banning people with food intolerances. I know it would be commercial suicide, but they are just so annoying.”