Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey visits Watford

The Liberal Democrat leader spent time at the Random Cafe on the Meriden estate today (April 12) where he helped weed a bed in the community facility's allotment.

Sir Ed was joined by town mayor Peter Taylor and Meriden councillor Jenny Pattinson along with the founder of Random Cafe Jane Johnson.

The politician spent around an hour at the cafe speaking with volunteers, speaking to the media and putting on some gloves and weeding one of the beds before heading out onto the Meriden to speak to residents and meeting businesses in the town centre.

Sie Ed doing a spot of gardening at the Random Cafe

Random Cafe founder Jane Johnson said it was "lovely" for Sir Ed to come by and said he would like to see their project replicated in his constituency.

The cafe, which is hosting an Easter fair from 10-2 on Saturday (April 16), aims to reduce food waste, campaign to make the food system fairer and more sustainable, and support the community.

left to right: Random Cafe's founder Jane Johnson, volunteer Pauline Murray, and garden manager and volunteer Jenny Bridger

The Lib Dems said Sir Ed's visit was part of its Watford and London local elections campaign launch. In Watford, there will be a mayoral election and 13 seats to be contested for on Watford Borough Council.

See more: Full list of mayor and council candidates at Watford 2022 election

He praised Mr Taylor and his predecessor Dorothy Thornhill for the work they have done "turning Watford around" pointing towards recycling rates, the Beryl Bike scheme, a "caring" community, and keeping council tax down.

He was asked about the level of development in Watford and claimed under a Liberal Democrat Government, places like Watford would not see towers of 20 storeys or over. Buildings of 28, 25, 24, and 22 storeys have been approved by the council in recent years with the Watford Lib Dems blaming Government housing targets and the threat of appeals for granting permission.

The cost of living was high on Sir Ed's agenda. He called for more support for small business owners and workers facing soaring bills and tax hikes under the Conservative Government, including by cutting VAT.

He told the Observer: "People are really worried about the cost of living. There seeing their energy bills go up, their food bills up, how much more expensive it is to full up the car. They’ve raised national insurance."

He said a VAT cut - worth an average of £600 a year - could be covered by funding from oil and gas companies.