ONE of the MEP candidates for the West Midlands has said 'politics in this country is in a desperate state' ahead of the European elections next week.

Jeanie Falconer, one of the Liberal Democrat candidates for the region, believes Brexit is causing problems for businesses in Herefordshire.

Mrs Falconer, who lives near Ledbury, said: "I'm standing because I fundamentally believe we are better in the European Union myself. I'm proud of being British but also European.

"Our country has a future in Europe, we've shaped it over 40 years. We've played a role in it because we're a strong, democratic and pragmatic country.

"We're better working with friends."

59% of people in Herefordshire voted to leave in the 2016 EU referendum, but Jeanie Falconer is concerned for businesses in the area and other places in the West Midlands Region.

She added: "The West Midlands economy is incredibly diverse with agriculture and production. We need to have proper, decent and committed representatives so we have a voice in the EU.

"For example, Jaguar Landrover (JLR) needed legislation amended. If you compare them to Nissan who make all size vehicles, JLR were about to get penalised for their big vehicles.

"People need frictionless trade, there's fruit growers in this region. One major one near Ledbury decided not to invest any more money here until it's decided whether the UK is leaving or staying in the EU. They're struggling to get people to pick fruit as well."

As was seen in Herefordshire, bad losses for the Conservatives in local elections has given the Lib Dems confidence going into the European elections next Thursday (May 23).

The party say a vote for them is a vote to stop Brexit, and Mrs Falconer said they are the strongest anti-Brexit party.

"The country is fundamentally split in half. The problem is people who voted remain knew what they were voting for because it's what we had.

"People who voted leave didn't know, and there's still no agreement on what leave means.

"We are the strongest, best organised remain party because Change UK is struggling. Politics in this county is in a desperate state."

When voters go to the polls on Thursday, the voting system is proportional and not winner-takes-all like in a general election. Parties select a list of candidates for each region, and voters just choose a party.