Mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith made a Big Mac burger meal and highlighted McDonald’s’ environmental credentials at the reopening of the Richmond fast food chain.

The Richmond Park MP was given a masterclass in how to make the perfect Big Mac when he visited the recently refurbished restaurant on Friday (February 26).

But unfortunately Mr Goldsmith did not get to taste to fruits of his labour due to pre-arranged family dinner plans.

He said: “I absolutely loved the experience in the kitchen – it looked a very tempting little object, I’m sure I would have enjoyed eating it.

“I do occasionally [go to McDonald’s], my kids like it.

“My usual order in a Big Mac but I haven’t been for four or five months, I think the last time I was on the M3.”

The Conservative candidate to succeed Boris Johnson as Mayor of London was given a tour of the restaurant and met the chain’s employees.

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

 

Bite size: Mr Goldsmith with his finished hamburger

Mr Goldsmith, a renowned environmentalist, paid tribute to McDonald’s’ environmental credentials and praised the company’s progress.

He said: “I think they have moved forward in an environmental sense more than any company I can think of.

“The meals are organic and all meat is sourced from the UK – they have basically answered all questions asked of them.

“It is genuinely impressive and most people are amazed by the facts about their food sources.

“They do a lot of good stuff in the community, in Richmond particularly, and employ 70 people at this branch, which is an astonishing number of people.”

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Grand tour: The Mayoral candidate was shown around the refurbished restaurant

The Tory candidate also visited businesses in Twickenham on Friday afternoon and highlighted the capital’s economy as key to his decision to vote for a Brexit in June’s EU referendum.

He said: “I don’t believe Europe is democratic enough and reforms won’t change that – London’s wider economy will also benefit.

“You have to go with your instincts.”

Richmond and Twickenham Times:

Hard at work: Mr Goldsmith gets to grips with the secrets of making a Big Mac

Labour candidate Sadiq Khan said Mr Goldsmith’s stance on Europe would put 17,000 jobs in Richmond at risk.

He added: “By placing dogma ahead of Londoners’ interests, Zac Goldsmith has chosen to jeopardise our place as a global city, put our safety at greater risk and sacrifice our ability to build a better future for all Londoners.”

With just two months of campaigning left until the Mayoral election, Mr Goldsmith said he believes people are starting to realise the gravity of their vote.

He said: “I feel that reaction and reception has been really good and people are beginning to become aware of the fact that there is an important election on May 5.”