Call to change Tory logo to a ‘ladder of opportunity’
SENIOR Conservative MPS are calling for the party to replace its union flag “broccoli” logo with a ladder to represent social mobility.
Robert Halfon, a former government minister, said the move would demonstrate the party’s commitment to working people and show that the Tories value opportunity.
Senior Conservative sources have reportedly been looking into whether the logo should be replaced as part of an image overhaul after a poor general election result saw them lose seats.
Currently a tree with a union flag for branches, the party changed its branding from a torch, which had seen the Tories through the Margaret Thatcher years, to a tree with green leaves in 2006. The flag was added later.
However, campaigners within the party believe it is time for the logo to be refreshed again to better appeal to workers and young people. Mr Halfon, who has long campaigned for the change, said a ladder would be most appropriate, but called for it to include hands to represent people climbing the rungs and a safety net to catch them if they fall. MPS believe the changes could be carried out by a new party chairman, amid reports that Sir Patrick Mcloughlin is shortly to be replaced, possibly by Brandon Lewis, the Home Office minister.
Mr Halfon tweeted: “Wonderful. Will @conservatives really replace Broccoli symbol with #Ladderofopportunity re our values?”
He added: “Bob Dylan: May you build a ladder to the stars, climb every rung and stay forever young.”
The Conservative party did not comment on the record, but a source said the logo will not be changed.