As the race heats up ahead of the May local elections, things have taken a strange turn in the world of British politics.
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith sparked a bit of controversy over the weekend after accusing Liberal Democrat councillors of being too vegan and promoting radical work policies.
Griffith Slams Lib Dems for “Extreme” Policies
Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Griffith didn’t hold back.
He claimed that when Lib Dems take over local councils, they start pushing for four-day work weeks and vegan diets — both of which he labelled as extreme.
“I think the Liberal Democrats are quite extremist,” Griffith told the BBC.
“Whenever they get into council, they want four-day weeks and veganism.”
While he clarified that not all Lib Dems are vegan, he added, “Too many of them are.”
Lib Dems Hit Back, Calling Comments “Weird”
It didn’t take long for the Liberal Democrats to fire back.
A party source brushed off Griffith’s remarks as “frankly a bit weird,” pointing out his past role as a Treasury minister under Liz Truss — a time when the economy took a serious hit and mortgage rates soared.
“Voters haven’t forgotten the damage the Conservative Party has done,” the Lib Dem source added.
“Odd comments like this won’t change that.”
Griffith Dodges Farage Question But Keeps the Focus on Lib Dems
Griffith’s comments came during a wider conversation about the upcoming local elections and the possibility of post-election alliances.
When asked whether the Tories might strike a deal with Nigel Farage’s Reform Party — which is expected to win a decent share of council seats — Griffith didn’t give a straight answer.
Instead, he pivoted back to the Lib Dems, saying that political deals often happen at the local level depending on the outcome.
“It shouldn’t get there because people can vote Conservative,” he added, reinforcing his message that the Conservatives were the better choice.
Labour Weighs In and Warns Voters About Tory-Reform Alliance
Labour wasn’t going to stay silent either. A party spokesperson accused the Tories of leaving the door wide open for a partnership with Farage, warning that a vote for the Conservatives or Reform would lead to more chaos.
“It’s now crystal clear,” the spokesperson said. “If you vote Conservative or Reform, the door to more of the same Tory chaos that the British people rejected last year swings back open.”
Griffith Doubles Down in Sky News Appearance
Later in the day, Griffith took his message to Sky News, repeating his concerns about Lib Dems’ “extreme” policies.
He claimed that the party had supported four-day work weeks that hurt local services and were focused on promoting veganism.
“They typically promote veganism when they take control of the council,” he said.
“They’ve supported four-day weeks which have damaged the interests of local residents.”