Rachel Reeves hit back at a pro-Nigel Farage heckler during a tense confrontation at a petrol station after Labour abandoned plans for a fuel duty rise.
The Chancellor was speaking to reporters at a forecourt in Leeds on Thursday after announcing that a planned increase in fuel duty would be scrapped amid soaring energy prices linked to the conflict involving Iran.
But the event was interrupted by a man driving a truck decorated with two St George’s flags, who repeatedly shouted support for Mr Farage.
“Nigel Farage, go on Nigel,” the man yelled before accusing Labour of “ruining the country” and demanding: “Get Keir Starmer out.”
As he drove away, the heckler shouted from the vehicle window: “I’ve got British flags on. Am I going to get arrested? We’ve got English flags on here, Rachel.”
Ms Reeves responded: “I love our country. I love our country, and one of its qualities is good manners. Not very British.”
The exchange quickly spread online, with Mr Farage later posting on X: “I’d like to buy this man a pint. Does anyone know how I can find him?”
The confrontation came as Labour performed its latest policy reversal, shelving planned fuel duty increases after mounting concern over rising petrol and diesel prices.
OH DEAR
Rachel Reeves heckled by white van man as she visits a petrol station.
“Get Starmer out! Get Labour out! You’re ruining the country! Are you going to arrest me for having an England flag? Get Farage in!”
She lectures the guy about “manners” pic.twitter.com/pFVX8LxOyP
— Ben Leo (@Benleo) May 20, 2026
The Government had previously intended to raise fuel duty by 1p per litre in September, followed by two further 2p increases later in the year and in early 2027.
However, ministers backed down after oil market disruption linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz drove fuel prices sharply higher.
According to industry estimates, petrol prices have risen by around 26p per litre since the conflict escalated, while diesel prices have risen by roughly 44p per litre.
The U-turn immediately triggered political attacks from the Conservatives, who accused Labour of abandoning ordinary motorists during a cost-of-living squeeze.
Mel Stride said: “Labour’s fuel tax hike would have hurt businesses and hammered hardworking families already stretched to breaking point.”
“After Conservative pressure, Reeves has finally been forced into a U-turn.”
He added: “Under the Conservatives, fuel duty was frozen or cut for 14 years in a row. Labour wanted to put it up during a cost-of-living crisis. That tells you everything.”
The incident underscores the increasingly hostile political atmosphere facing Labour as Reform UK continues to capitalise on public frustration over immigration, the cost of living and national identity issues ahead of the next general election.
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