Labour’s deputy leader Tom Watson has for the public to 'buy British' in response to Trump and Brexit.
Speaking at the Co-operative Party Economic Conference in London, Mr Watson said: “If Trump says ‘buy American’, our rational response is ‘buy British’.
“Yet to say ‘buy British’ these days risks sneering derision from much of Britain’s commentariat and chattering classes, few of whom have been on a factory floor lately. When did you last hear Theresa May say it?
“The opportunities in public sector procurement to purchase British-made goods and services are significant.”
Mr Watson said the election of Mr Trump added “real uncertainty to global trading arrangements, against a backdrop of significantly increased economic nationalism”.
He said Britain must keep an "open mind" about the new President's policies of "America First" and protectionism.
'More food secure nation'
Today, British farmers' produce totals about 62% of Brits food supply, and unions and farmers stress that by backing British farming, the country can become a more food secure nation.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has previously called for a focus on agricultural growth which would be a partnership of industry and government backing British farming; valuing and buying more British food and helping to set a framework which supports increasing production and this campaign will play a vital part in this.
NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “Anything which can showcase British farming and farmers, not just for they food they produce, but for the value the British farming industry adds to the economy, employment and our beautiful and diverse countryside is a step in the right direction.”
Mr Raymond added: “The British public have told us time and time again that they want to buy British and we hope that this campaign will help them to increasingly have that option in the future.”
