In pictures: From pasty-gate to mushy peas: the politics of food

The battle to become 'pasty-loving man of the people' commences. George Osborne's 20 per cent VAT on hot snacks has become one of the most controversial aspects of this year's Budget. The Chancellor's admission that he could not recall when he last bought a pasty in Greggs added fuel to the fire and Labour leader Ed Miliband and his shadow chancellor Ed Balls (above) raced to be photographed tucking in to a hot pie at the bakery chain. But this is not the first time food has become a political pawn…