15 Minutes With: Abi Kay, Deputy Editor of Farmer's Weekly

Join Jonathan Roberts as he sits down with Abi Kay to discuss the fractured relationship between politics and farming in the UK. From inheritance tax controversies to broken promises on food security, Abi shares her insights on why 40% of farmers are now planning to vote for Reform UK. Plus, she reveals the stories behind her most impactful investigations—including exposing a major meat fraud scandal and tackling difficult conversations about young farmer culture. A must-listen for anyone interested in rural politics, agricultural journalism, and the future of British farming.

In this edition of 15 Minutes With, CLA Deputy President Joe Evans and Vice President Eliza Ecclestone tackle one of the most challenging questions facing rural Britain: what does it really mean to be a landowner today?

Joe and Eliza explore the disconnect between public perception and the reality of modern land ownership, discussing why the term "landowner" itself might be a barrier to understanding the vital role rural estates play in the economy and wider society. From managing diverse enterprises to making long-term decisions for the countryside, they share candid insights about the misconceptions, the politics of envy, and the challenge of reaching both rural communities and urban audiences with their story.

This honest conversation reveals the entrepreneurial spirit, hard work, and low returns that characterise multi-generational land ownership—and why finding new ways to communicate this reality has never been more urgent.

About the Guests:

Joe Evans, CLA Deputy President, manages his family's diversified estate in Herefordshire. Whitbourne Estate is home to an organic livestock farming enterprise, an events venue, forestry, and a care farm.

Eliza Ecclestone, CLA Vice President, is managing trustee at St Clere Estate, a diversified estate with farming, forestry, festivals, and filming among other activities. She is also Chair of Trustees at Chevening Estate, the grace and favour home of the Foreign Secretary.

In this episode of 15 Minutes With from the Country Land and Business Association, host Jonathan Roberts sits down with Labour's former farming minister Daniel Zeichner to reflect on his time in office.

Zeichner offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at reshuffle day, discusses the challenges of cross-departmental collaboration in government, and addresses Labour's relationship with rural communities. The conversation tackles the controversial inheritance tax changes head-on, with Zeichner defending the policy while acknowledging the concerns of farming families.

From the realities of ministerial life to the future of rural policy, this candid discussion reveals the complexities of governing and the difficult balance between political necessity and rural tradition.

This episode was recorded before the UK government's partial climb-down on inheritance tax in December 2025.

In this inaugural episode, host Jonathan Roberts sits down with CLA President Gavin Lane to discuss the government's controversial inheritance tax changes and their impact on farming families and rural businesses.

Gavin shares his experience running a farm in West Norfolk, explains why the recent policy U-turn still falls short, and reveals the challenges of getting Whitehall to understand the countryside. From succession planning to economic growth, this conversation explores what's at stake for Britain's rural communities.

Subscribe to 15 Minutes With for more conversations on countryside and land management issues. Learn more at cla.org.uk.