An Oxfordshire councillor boycotted the free vegan lunch served at a full council meeting yesterday which he branded as 'out of touch'.
A fully plant-based lunch was served at the full County Council meeting yesterday for the first time since a motion to ban meat and dairy from council events was put forward.
Conservative councillor Liam Walker said that he and around 15 colleagues 'walked out' and went for a self-funded 'pub lunch' instead.
He told this paper: "I'm all for veganism but we live in a democracy so should have freedom of choice.
"Taking a step back I don't think we should serve councillors free food altogether. The fact that people this year have the difficult choice between eating and heating shows how out of touch it is."
The Hanborough & Minster Lovell councillor and his like-minded colleagues instead went to the nearby Slug and Lettice for lunch, and although he didn't go into detail he confirmed it 'contained meat'.
Cllr Walker also hit out at the fact the food was 'clearly' not locally sourced, pointing out the fruit platter and saying: "Last time I checked we don't grow melons in Oxfordshire".
Green councillor Ian Middleton shared a picture of the plant based meal served at the full council meeting yesterday on Twitter.
First #plantbased lunch at @OxfordshireCC very enthusiastically received. Some saying it's the best food that has ever been provided by the council. Thanks to officers for organising it. An absolute triumph! pic.twitter.com/o0acCvnJcL
— Ian Middleton 🇺🇦 (@IanMiddletonX) April 5, 2022
READ MORE: Pictures reveal the first ever 'lavish' vegan-only lunch at the council
The Kidlington South councillor was behind tabling the motion for all food at Oxfordshire County Council’s events to be ‘entirely plant based’ in December.
The decision has brought both praise and criticism, Jeremy Clarkson joining local farmers to oppose the motion and drawing widespread attention to the topic.
READ MORE: 'Drippy hippies': Jeremy Clarkson attacks county council for going vegan
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok
Got a story for us? Send us your news and pictures here
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel