Outraged vegans have demanded a senior Conservative MP say sorry after he equated the lifestyle choice to a form of “extremism” promoted by Liberal Democrats politicians. Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg about local councils, Andrew Griffith said he thought Lib Dem authorities were “quite extremist” and that they wanted “four-day weeks and veganism”.
Ms Kuenssbrg responded, “Oh, well, we’ll see what our viewers think about you saying that Lib Dems are all vegan, or suggesting that that’s the case, to which, Mr Griffith doubled-down, replying “too many”. The Shadow Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, who was doing a round of media appearances ahead of local council elections, repeated his comments appearing with Trevor Phillips on Sky News.
He told the programme: “Liberal Democrats have all sorts of extreme foreign policies. They typically promote veganism when they take control of the council, they’ve supported four-day weeks which have damaged the interests of local residents.”
Hitting back at Mr Griffith’s comments, the Vegan Society’s head of campaigns, policy and research, Claire Ogley, said the top Tory’s views were “absurd”.
She said: “To label a group of people as ‘extreme’ simply because they are choosing not to participate in the exploitation and harm of animals and are following a healthy and sustainable lifestyle is absurd and a form of prejudice.
“Veganism is now a widely accepted way of life. For Andrew Griffith to call vegans “extremists” shows how out of touch he is. He owes vegans an apology.”
According to the Vegan Society website, veganism involves a “plant-based diet avoiding all animal foods such as meat (including fish, shellfish and insects), dairy, eggs and honey – as well as avoiding animal-derived materials, products tested on animals and places that use animals for entertainment”.
Vegan Rights Consultant to The Vegan Society, Dr Jeanette Rowley, added: “When people in positions of power make such comments about veganism, it undermines the respect vegan beliefs deserve under law, mischaracterises veganism and can lead to negative stereotyping, as well as discrimination and hostility towards vegans.
“This is a violation of the legal principle of equality and non-discrimination.”
Voters in 23 local authorities in England are set to go to the polls on May 1 to choose their new councillors.
Elections are also taking place in England on May 1 for six mayors, while voters in the constituency of Runcorn and Helsby will choose a new MP.
