BBC’s The Archers has attracted controversy for its handling of plot lines (Image: BBC)
‘s is the longest-running present-day drama, with more than 20,000 episodes airing over almost 75 years.
However, a recent installment of the soap angered some fans, who claimed it was glossing over issues like ‘s recently introduced inheritance tax fee for farmers with land worth over £1 million. One disgruntled fan pointed out that it portrayed rural characters as being comfortable with the tax hikes, and that it then swiftly changed the subject.
Taking to X, formerly known as , the listener wrote: ” rural radio soap opera The Archers covers the recent mass farmers protest: ‘There’s a lot of anger about this new inheritance tax on farms,’ admits David.
“‘But we need those taxes to pay for things like the NHS,’ says Leonard. And with that, the entire subject is covered.”
Sharing the annoyance, someone replied in the comments section: “The seems to have taken on the job of introducing State propaganda via bad *soaps*. Presumably all would-be writers have to submit potential scripts to the Ministry of Creativity for approval.”
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Another chimed in: “I do not understand how anyone maintains a) that the has a right wing bias and b) that it is in anyway impartial.”
A third agreed: “That’s been the normal routine at the for decades. It’s why they’ve haemorrhaged listeners & viewers.”
A fourth then groaned: “‘Free’ healthcare being used as the argument to extract half of the wealth of a nation is almost comical.”
One indignant listener followed up with a swipe at the “pathetic” , agreeing: “Yes I’m sure ending family farming for the sake of 5 days NHS funding is worth it. Job done.”
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Jeremy Clarkson at the London farmers’ protest this month (Image: Getty)
The snippet sparked a wider debate about whether the licence fee is worth paying for, or whether the corporation should instead rely on advertising revenue to fund its content, as some argued that it was consistently failing to be “impartial” or to feature a broad enough range of opinions.
Meanwhile, the farmers’ protest in London’s Westminster earlier this month attracted over 20,000 angry members of the public, joined by none other than .
, predicting that the new law would lead to “96 per cent of farmers” having to pay the tax.
A journalist on site at the protest tried to justify the tax hikes introduced by by bringing up the strain placed on the NHS, and Jeremy responded by telling the crowd: “Did you hear that? The thinks you should be paying for everything.”