Lib Dems would ‘ban diesel-powered ice cream vans’

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has promised "Mr Whippy is safe in my hands". Picture: Robert Perry

DIESEL-POWERED ice cream vans would be banned under the Liberal Democrats, activists have confirmed, despite leader Tim Farron promising “Mr Whippy is safe in my hands”.

A policy motion on air quality, which would ban any diesel vehicle from keeping its engine running while parked, was passed by the party conference in Bournemouth.

A blanket ban could prevent ice cream vans from using their engines to power the freezers and machines used to dispense cornets and 99s.

The Sunday Times revealed the unintended consequence of the motion, leaving Mr Farron to insist the Lib Dems did not have an anti-ice cream agenda.

Mr Farron told BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show on Sunday: “The way we make party policy is through conference, it’s very democratic. The aim of that motion is well-intentioned, it’s about making sure that we reduce carbon emissions.

“But targeting idling ice cream vans is absolutely not on my agenda and we shouldn’t be doing it.”

The motion was passed by activists.