“Stuart is a stalwart of the farming community, a champion for British farming and animal welfare. The Government should start listening to farmers like him.”
Members of rural and farming communities are starting to turn away from the Conservatives and towards the Lib Dems, says Daisy Cooper MP following the news that a former Conservative councillor and the outgoing deputy leader of the National Farmers’ Union has become a member of the Liberal Democrats.
Stuart Roberts, who lives in Harpenden and owns and manages Hammonds End Farm in Hertfordshire, has held numerous senior positions in the NFU and the food and farming industry.
A previous Conservative councillor in Hertfordshire, he will now help the Liberal Democrats’ newly formed Food and Farming Working Group write the party’s new farming policies.
The announcement comes after new analysis by the Liberal Democrats revealed that farming income in the South of England has fallen by £61 million in just one year.
Stuart said: “It is time politicians spoke up for rural communities who urgently need help and support.
“The Liberal Democrats have proved they want to listen and engage with farmers who have been taken for granted by the Conservative party. I will be delighted to help the Lib Dems in developing the right policies for farmers and consumers across the country.
“British farmers and food producers are amongst the best in the world and they are ready to deliver high quality, sustainable food produced in harmony with the environment and animal welfare. Yet time and time again this Conservative Government has badly let down farmers and rural communities.
“This is a pivotal moment for farmers, with food security never a more important issue than today.”
Daisy Cooper said: “Stuart is a stalwart of the farming community, a champion for British farming and animal welfare, and he’s well-known and respected in Hertfordshire and across the country. The Government should start listening to farmers like him.
“This Conservative government handled trade deals that undercut British business, and it’s also phasing out existing farm payments. In December, farmers faced a 5% reduction in support payments, with some facing even larger cuts. It’s clear that the Conservatives don’t understand farmers or what they do for our country.
“This May, farmers have a chance to follow Stuart’s example, and send a message to this Government that they won’t be overlooked any longer.”