Blur’s Alex James Speaks on New Inheritance Tax for Farmers: ‘I Fear My Kids Might Try to Kill Me Before It Takes Effect’

James Reflects on Farming Life

Blur’s Alex James shares his thoughts on Labour’s proposed changes to inheritance tax policy for farms.

The Britpop bassist, who authored the memoir Over the Rainbow: Tales from an Unexpected Year, turned to farming earlier this month during a hiatus in the 2000s. Since then, he has carved out a niche in the cheese industry, even creating one named after Blue Monday New Order.

Thoughts on Inheritance Tax Changes

In a recent interview with Channel 4 News‘s Krishnan Guru-Murthy, James reminisced about his “corny” decision to buy a farm after Blur, as well as the recent announcement that the government will implement an inheritance tax on select farm assets.

He recalled joining the industry during a tumultuous time. “Every time you saw a farmer on TV, he – and it was invariably a man – was in tears,” he mentioned, highlighting the challenges posed by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and mad cow disease.

“It was a really, really difficult time,” he continued. “And when you think of a farmer now, it’s Jeremy Clarkson laughing his head off.”

He elaborated on how they dedicated 20 years to the farm, but conceded that his decision was not as unique as he initially believed.

“I remember thinking we were taking a huge, reckless, romantic leap into the unknown by buying a farm. I’ve since realized that it’s literally just another cliché in the book of rock clichés,” he remarked. “Either you die or live on the farm.”

Later, when Guru-Murthy inquired about his opinion on Labour’s planned changes to inheritance tax laws, James quipped, “When will inheritance tax come into force?”

The bassist then jested, “I’m a little worried that my kids will try to kill me before that happens,” adding, “Dad slipped on the cheese, it was a terrible accident.”

When asked if he shares a friendship with Clarkson, whose farm is nearby, he replied, “I’m madly in love with Jeremy, yes,” James stated.

This year, he launched the Big Feastival, an annual food and music festival hosted at his farm in the Cotswolds. Headliners included Becky Hill, Ministry Of Sound Classical, and Snow Patrol.

In another part of the interview, James mentioned that he “burst into tears” when he spotted his teenage daughter in the crowd at a recent Blur concert.

It’s been a busy year for Blur since the release of Until the end – a documentary by Transgressive Records founder Toby L. – in July.

The film chronicles James’s reunion with Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, and Dave Rowntree as they recorded their 2023 comeback album The Ballad Of Darren before embarking on a tour that culminated in a couple of shows at London’s Wembley Stadium last summer.

In its review of Until the end, NME stated: “They fight, they hug, they call each other crap, they get the job done. Blur’s latest doc and accompanying live film There’s no distance left to run was a portrait of a band celebrating their heritage and giving a nostalgia-hungry world exactly what they craved; this spiritual sequel shows the band simply supporting each other.”

“Whether they will return again or not remains to be seen. But even if they don’t, it was one hell of a novel.”