Lib Dem leader Sir Vince Cable visits St Albans to discuss post-Brexit Britain

Sir Vince Cable went to Glinwell Marketing on Hatfield Road to meet members of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and discuss the agricultural industry’s concerns about what may happen when Britain leaves the European Union.

Alongside St Albans Liberal Democrat spokesperson Daisy Cooper, the politician met with NFU regional board chairman Will Dickinson.

Sir Vince said: “A No Deal Brexit would force massive disruption.

“The biggest issue we were focussing on this morning with the National Farmers’ Union was upholding food standards because if we leave the European Union - it is still an if rather than a when - we could find ourselves negotiating trade agreements with America, who have much lower food standards.

Liberal Democrat party leader Sir Vince Cable visiting St Albans' Glinwell Marketing, with St Albans Lib Dem spokesperson Daisy Cooper, Cllr Barbara Gibson, and Glinwell director Joe Colletti. Picture: John Cobb (Image: Archant)

“All the work the farmers have been putting in to getting British produce to really good scientifically based standards could be thrown away.”

He is feeling positive about the upcoming St Albans district council election in May.

“The 2015 and 2017 elections were not a success for us, I am painfully aware of that, I lost my own seat in 2015 but I think the whole atmosphere in the country has changed.

“People have become alarmed by the way the Tories and Labour Party have got into the hands of extreme people and they are looking for the sensible, moderate, middle of the way options which we present.”

Liberal Democrat party leader Sir Vince Cable in the Smallford Farm Shop while visiting St Albans, alongside St Albans Lib Dem spokesperson Daisy Cooper and Glinwell Marketing director Joe Colletti. Picture: Liberal Democrats (Image: Archant)

NFU regional chairman Will said Sir Vince has always “lent an ear” to the community: “As a farmer, we have to have a deal because if we leave without a deal we might need to import the lowest common denominator food that isn’t safe, well vaccinated and good for the environment to meet our needs - European farmers do all these things.

“It is about protecting food for the consumer.”

Daisy Cooper added: “Nobody wants chlorinated chicken, hormone-fed beef, or the associated animal welfare and public health concerns.

“This Conservative government is cosying up to Trump and sending a message that British farming and food standards will be the sacrificial lamb to get a US trade deal.”

Sir Vince also visited charity Emmaus to discuss the rising tide of homelessness.