Liz Truss visit to Bearts of Stowbridge near Downham Market

James Bagge, who objected to Ms Truss's selection as the then prospective parliamentary candidate for South West Norfolk prior to her election in 2010, is standing against her as an independent at the next general election, which is widely expected to be held in the autumn.

He claims she has put her own ambitions ahead of the interests of her constituents.

Ms Truss resigned as prime minister in October, 2022 after a disastrous 45 days in which her administration's first budget caused an economic crisis.  

Former High Sheriff of Norfolk James Bagge, who intends to stand against Liz Truss as an independent at the next election (Image: Ian Burt)

Earlier this month, she launched the Popular Conservatism group which will try to push the party and its policies to the right in the run-up to the election.

After visiting Bearts of Stowbridge, near Downham Market on Friday, Ms Truss said national politics mattered locally.

"I'm just focussed on doing the best I can for the constituency," she said. "National policies like energy costs are of massive importance to South West Norfolk."

From left, county councillor Chris Dawson, Stephen Brighton, Liz Truss and Mark Brighton during the meeting at Bearts of Stowbridge (Image: Chris Bishop)

During a meeting with Mark and Stephen Brighton, directors of animal feed maker Bearts, Ms Truss heard the firm's energy costs had increased from £7,000 to £24,000 a month for its feed mill.

"The bottom line is part of the cost of this is the net zero objective and the fact we're not doing things like fracking which would bring the cost down," she said.

Mark Brighton said the firm, which employs 35 people, would like to invest in machinery to process soya beans, which could be grown locally, instead of being imported from South America.

Farmers in the Fens could grow soya beans and harvest them with their combines but there is nowhere locally where the crop can be processed (Image: Matthew Usher)

He said farmers in the Fens had trialled the crop and found it grew well and could be harvested with their combines, meaning Bearts could process it if they had the right equipment.

He added linseed grown near the plant was exported to the Netherlands to be processed, prior to being re-imported to be added to his firm's feeds.

Ms Truss said she would ask whether grants might be available from Defra towards processing plant.