Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey joins campaign trail in Cambridgeshire with Buy British message
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey joined the campaign trail in Cambridgeshire - and urged people to Buy British.
County councillors and a new mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will be elected when voters head to the polls on 1 May.
On Tuesday (15 April), Sir Ed planted community wildflower beds in the Offords, before visiting manufacturing business L J A Miers & Co in St Neots, which has been hit by the NI hike in the UK and US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
He was joined by the Lib Dems’ mayoral hopeful, Lorna Dupré, and St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire MP Ian Sollom, and criticised Labour Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ for refusing to back his Buy British campaign, which she described as “inward-looking”.
Sir Ed said: “Cambridgeshire is a vital hub of innovation and growth, and we need to be doing everything we can to champion that in these local elections. Liberal Democrats are backing Cambridgeshire’s businesses with our Buy British campaign to support them in the face of Trump’s tariffs, which are hitting companies right here in St Neots.
“The new Labour government must show it takes this seriously for business in Cambridgeshire. Rachel Reeves’ comments about Buy British were very disappointing, but if she came here and spoke to local businesses I know she’d think again.
“Cambridgeshire’s Conservatives also need to back our campaign and our plan to stand up to Trump – the evidence from local communities and enterprises is very clear. The Conservative Party is completely out of touch and takes local people for granted, while our brilliant Liberal Democrat local champions get things done for their communities.”
Liberal Democrat research shows that the average worker in Huntingdonshire is set to lose £3,000 over the next five years due to the jobs tax rise, approximately £600 a year.
Mr Sollom said: “These local elections are a chance to elect more strong local Lib Dem champions who will put their local community first.
“International issues like Trump’s tariffs don’t just affect big corporates in London - they are having a real impact on businesses right here in St Neots and across Cambridgeshire. That’s why the Government need to show they take it seriously for enterprises out here too and back our Buy British campaign.
“The combined effect of the jobs tax hike, broken business rates and now these tariffs can be devastating.
“Liberal Democrats across Cambridgeshire are working hard to put community interests first and make things fairer, and in these local elections people have a chance to vote for more local champions who will make a real difference.”
Ms Dupré will be running against Labour’s Anna Smith, Conservative Paul Bristow, Bob Ensch of the Greens, and Ryan Coogan, of Reform UK in the mayor election.
Voters will also elect county councillors at the 1 May elections. The Liberal Democrats are currently in coalition with Labour and Independents at Cambridgeshire County Council.
