Labour-led Camden Council is set to adopt “100 per cent plant-based catering” for all events and meetings, meaning bacon, sausages, steak, chicken and fish would be removed from menus in the Prime Minister’s own constituency.
The north London authority commissioned a report which found adopting plant-based catering in full was in line with the council’s “food mission”, according to campaign group Plant Based Councils. The environmental organisation hailed the development as a “historic win for climate action, public health and the community”, claiming Camden would become the third London borough to take this “transformative step”.
However, the Countryside Alliance has condemned the move, urging Sir Keir Starmer to intervene and questioning whether more Labour-led councils will follow suit. The rural campaign group is pressing councils to support British farmers who “produce some of the most sustainable food in the world” rather than imposing what they call “draconian bans” on meat and dairy.
Plant-Based Movement Gains Ground
Plant Based Councils claims Camden is following London boroughs Lewisham and Hackney in going fully vegan, joining other councils including Oxfordshire County Council, Calderdale and Exeter City Council in ditching food derived from animals. The campaign group says local authorities have a responsibility to follow scientific consensus on the environmental benefits of plant-based diets.
Kush Naker, a medical doctor and leading member of the Plant Based Councils campaign, celebrated the decision: “This is a huge moment, not just for Camden, but for climate action in the UK. We’re thrilled our council has listened to the science and the local community and shown real leadership.
He emphasised that “this policy isn’t about telling individuals what to eat. It’s about ensuring that our public institutions reflect the urgent need to shift toward sustainable, inclusive, and compassionate food systems.
The group expects plans to be formally incorporated next year, with only plant-based food catering offered at “all internal council-run events and meetings. They hope the “bold move will inspire other councils across London and the London Assembly to follow suit”.
Camden councillors have also reportedly expressed support for the Plants First Healthcare campaign and committed to writing to local hospitals and healthcare providers, encouraging them to deliver “plant-based by default” catering to patients and visitors.
Countryside Alliance Launches Counter-Campaign
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, Director of External Affairs at the Countryside Alliance, told The Telegraph there are questions for Sir Keir, whose Holborn and St Pancras constituency falls within the borough of Camden. He urged the Prime Minister to clarify whether more Labour-led councils will adopt vegan policies.
Camden Council should be supporting British farmers who produce some of the most sustainable food in the world, regardless of whether it’s meat, dairy or vegetables,” Mr Metcalf-Fisher stated. The organisation is campaigning against public bodies promoting veganism, instead championing locally sourced food and freedom of choice.
The Countryside Alliance claims significant victories in its campaign, with 10 councils rejecting “compulsory veganism” in favour of promoting British farming and upholding freedom of choice. These include Dorset, Fenland, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Cornwall, North Northamptonshire, Wiltshire, Staffordshire Moorlands, Rutland and the Highlands.
These councils have signed up to an alternative motion ensuring all catering at council-organised events is sourced from local producers, specifically including meat and dairy options alongside plant-based produce. The motion also commits councils to encouraging residents to shop locally and support UK farmers.
Political Battleground Emerges
The battle over council catering has become increasingly political, with the Countryside Alliance noting Labour’s “inconsistency” on the issue. Sir Keir Starmer, who has represented Holborn and St Pancras since 2015, has not yet commented on his local council’s plans.
Camden is a Labour stronghold, with the party controlling the council. In the 2024 general election, Starmer was re-elected as MP for Holborn and St Pancras, whilst fellow Labour MP Tulip Siddiq represents the neighbouring Hampstead and Highgate constituency, also within Camden borough.
The timing is particularly sensitive given recent farmer protests across the UK over various agricultural policies. The Countryside Alliance has argued that councils adopting vegan-only policies are undermining British farmers at a critical time for the industry.
Mr Metcalf-Fisher noted: “Livestock farming in this country is among the most sustainable in the world and there can never be any justification for banning meat and dairy produce. These councils should be using their platforms to promote local meat, dairy, and vegetable produce, rather than spreading tenuous claims about the benefits of plant-based diets.
Council’s Mixed Messages
Despite Plant Based Councils’ announcement, Camden Council itself appeared to contradict claims it would become “fully vegan. A Camden Council spokesperson stated: “The council has not agreed to a proposal to become vegan. We are not a fully plant-based council but we are looking at ways of moving towards serving more healthy, seasonal and locally grown food”.
This discrepancy suggests internal debate continues over the extent of any plant-based policy. The council’s statement indicates a more moderate approach focused on increasing plant-based options rather than completely eliminating animal products.
The confusion highlights tensions between activist campaigns and official council positions. Whilst environmental groups celebrate what they see as a victory, the council appears reluctant to confirm a complete ban on meat and dairy products.
Wider Environmental Context
The push for plant-based council catering forms part of broader climate action initiatives. According to the UN, animal agriculture is responsible for at least 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. A major 2018 study found giving up meat and dairy was the “single biggest way” individuals could reduce their environmental impact.
Councils that have adopted plant-based policies cite these environmental concerns alongside public health benefits. Oxfordshire County Council leader Liz Leffman, who is not vegetarian herself, defended her council’s decision: “A consensus has grown in the UK that we need to eat less meat than we do presently. We need to reduce carbon emissions and be more sustainable in food production.
However, critics argue British farming standards are amongst the most sustainable globally. The National Farmers’ Union regularly engages with councils about supporting local supply chains and emphasising farmers’ vital role in rural communities.
National Implications
The Camden controversy could have wider implications for Labour policy nationally. With the party holding power in numerous councils across the country, the Countryside Alliance fears a domino effect if Camden formally adopts vegan-only catering.
Universities and NHS trusts are also increasingly promoting plant-based foods, according to the Countryside Alliance, which sees this as part of a concerning trend undermining British agriculture. The organisation has noticed councils often adopt plant-based policies around Veganuary, the annual January campaign promoting veganism.
As the debate intensifies, both sides claim to represent common sense and public interest. Environmental campaigners argue councils must lead on climate action, whilst farming advocates insist on freedom of choice and support for British agriculture. With Sir Keir Starmer’s own constituency at the centre of the controversy, the Prime Minister may soon need to clarify his position on this increasingly divisive issue.
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