Labour targets traditionally Tory northern rural seats

Mr Reed’s decision to come to a farm in the Hexham seat is significant.

He came to Wheelbirks near Stocksfield, which is a working farm, but also boasts a popular ice cream parlour.

Mr Reed believes his party has plenty to offer farmers. They say their new Great British Energy company will cut bills that have hit agriculture.

They are also promising to tackle rural crime, and cut red tape that is frustrating UK farmers’ trade with their key market on the continent.

He also insisted farmers had been let down by the Conservative government.

“Since 2017, 6,000 farmers and producers have gone bust and a lot of that is because of actions the government has taken, or support the government hasn’t given,” he said.