Dig for Victory

The National Farmers Union reports that since the referendum there has been a drop of 17% in the number of seasonal workers coming to the UK to harvest fruit and vegetables - that is one in six staying home even before Brexit.

Post-Brexit none of those workers will be allowed in, so farmers will need to employ locals or give up.

Meanwhile, EU food imports (making up 70% of what we consume) will become more expensive. A cabinet minister says we can simply grow more here.

Tripling our food production is rather a tall order. Quite apart from where we would grow it all, who would do the work, given that we will be banning migrant labour?

Fortunately, Ms Leadsom has the answer - forcing students into the fields. With Mrs May shamelessly nicking Labour ideas, it isn't too surprising that the right-wingers want to bring in classic communist policies.

I would like to suggest a more British alternative, one that fits well with Brexiteers' jingoism. Revive the wartime campaign "Dig for Victory", requiring people to grow their own vegetables, converting their garden or working an allotment. We might even re-introduce rationing in order to encourage participation.

If we are to make a success of Brexit we will need to pull together. "Dig for Victory" recalls a time of national unity and purpose. Let us call on the "Dunkirk spirit" once more.