Steve Reed to spend Easter ‘mucking in’ on Devon farm

Farmers have reacted with a mix of disbelief and bemusement to news that Defra secretary Steve Reed plans to spend the upcoming Easter parliamentary recess working on a farm in Devon.

The Labour MP, dubbed “City Steve” by his critics for his urban roots in Croydon North, has promised to swap his portmanteau for a pitchfork – and farmers are waiting to see if he can tell the difference between a tractor and a turnip.

One farmer said: “Steve Reed’s been spinning a lot of yarn with his ‘farm-friendly’ policies. I’ll believe it when I see him mucking in on the farm, not just in a photo op.”

See also: Steve Reed under fire for visiting just four farms since July

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer recently declared the government was “rolling up its sleeves” and getting to work with farmers, and it seems Mr Reed has taken this advice literally.

While down in the South West, Mr Reed has also promised to roll with former Efra chairman Neil Parish to view his bangin’ new Claas Dominator combine.

Mr Reed’s surprise decision to spend time on a working farm is seen as a direct response to criticism for having only visited four farms since July 2024, as highlighted in Farmers Weekly (28 March). 

The Labour MP’s Easter farming adventure will see him engage in a variety of tasks, from mucking out stables to attempting tractor maintenance – all in the hopes of gaining a more “hands-on” understanding of the challenges farmers face.

“New Year’s resolutions are usually made on 1 January, but I thought 1 April was as good a time as any to start getting to grips with farming – something I can share with my colleagues in Westminster as they draw up the next raft of farmer-friendly legislation,” Mr Reed said excitedly.

Clothes for the job 

Ahead of his work placement, the Defra secretary visited “Country Squire” gentlemen’s outfitters in Croydon to purchase some farming garms.

He was spotted leaving the store, strutting down the street in a pair of Labour-red corduroy trousers, a checked shirt, a Schöffel, and a stylish pair of Le Chameau wellies, kindly paid for by Labour donor Lord Alli.

“I remember when that Priti Patel wore those white trainers on a farm and was ridiculed for it,” said Mr Reed.

“I’m not making the same mistake.

“I might not be a seasoned farmer yet, but I’ll even give milking cows a go,” he added with a cheeky grin.

“I gotta be honest though, I ain’t about to challenge our dairy farmers for the wicked title of ‘FW Farmer of the Year’ any time soon.”

Farming organisations have given the thumbs-up to Mr Reed’s farming adventure, with some suggesting that more senior Defra civil servants should swap their “ivory tower” in London for a pair of wellies and a muddy field.

“Maybe if they spent less time in boardrooms and more time in barns, they’d actually know what a cow’s backside looks like,” said Devon farm host Flora Poli.