Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has been in the South Hams this afternoon with South Devon MP Caroline Voaden, meeting farmers and producers of local produce.

He visited the South Devon Food Hub near Totnes and toured the facility where independent producers work alongside each other as part of an on-site community.

Among those Orchard Drinks and Yarde Cider run by Gerry Stuart and his family, Barbers Artisan Chocolate founded by Michael Barber, Devon Distillery and Sanctuary Coffee.

Mr Davey said he’d learnt a lot: “First of all, let me be positive that they see real growth opportunities.

They're working really hard, they're innovating, not just doing it in the old ways and just sticking to it.

Thinking of different ways of making, getting their energy.

Not everything though was rosy as he heard in the Q & A session: “There are issues particularly about things like the employers' National Insurance contributions, which I think was a huge mistake of the government where they raised that tax on employers.

“We heard about planning. Indeed, this hub itself has just had a planning application refused for expansion.

“I hope that can be looked at, because planning is difficult for rural businesses.

I sometimes think that some of the people in planning departments and local councils don't see the bigger picture and we need these jobs, we need these businesses to thrive.

Most, if not all of them, want to do things in the right way,

They want to be sustainable, they want to look after the overall countryside and nature, and I don't think they're given enough credit for what they do.

Turning to national issues and his hopes for the new Burnham government: “Well, first of all, I hope he grows the economy.

“The economy desperately needs to grow because we just had higher and higher taxes and more regulation and Liberal Democrats, have long argued that one of the best ways, quickest ways to do that is to restore our relationship with Europe.

“We've been talking with a new growth and defence partnership to work on the economy and defence with our European friends.

“That's customs unions, get rid of the red tape, single markets, open more markets for businesses.

“That would really grow the economy, and I'm afraid obviously the Tories are very much against it.

“We had hoped Keir Starmer would move, but he didn't.

“So I hope Andy Burnham reviews that.

“Then something close to my heart is sorting out the health service.

“Really important for so many people, and it's clear the only way you can do that is to sort out social care and support family care is better and he's talked a good game on that, but let's see if he does it.

We'll try and work with him if he does the right thing.

“Also changing our politics.

“Our political system is bust and it needs real change to put power in the right place.

“That means electoral reform, it means devolving power properly.

“I fear some of his devolution plans exclude the South West and communities like this.”