‘Back the deal’ postcards anger Leave MPS
THE TORIES are sending tens of thousands of postcards to party members across the country this weekend encouraging them to write to their MPS to shore up support for Theresa May’s deal.
The Prime Minister has been accused of resorting to “propaganda” after the Tories distributed “back the Brexit deal” postcards which constituents are being urged to fill in and send on to their MPS.
Eurosceptic Tory MPS warned the plans will backfire, with grassroots Tories refusing to distribute the leaflets, which have been sent to local associations.
Priti Patel, a Tory MP and former Cabinet minister, said: “This foolhardy attempt to put pressure upon our hard- working and dedicated grassroots volunteers and members, encouraging them to go above the heads of Leavebacking MPS, will backfire. This proeu propaganda drive will only remind our activists and the public how bad this deal is.” The Government has also taken out advertising with Google for a website called “the Brexit deal explained”, which says Britain must “come together” however people voted in the referendum.
The postcard states: “On Dec 11, your MP will vote on the Brexit deal. Want to get on with Brexit? Then tell your MP to back the deal.”
The postcards drew comparisons with the EU referendum, when the Government spent £9million distributing leaflets campaigning for Britain to stay in the EU – although the money for the postcards is coming from the Conservative Party.
One Eurosceptic activist said: “It will go down like a cup of cold sick on the doorstep and will cost us votes.”
The Conservatives have also released 150 video ads on Facebook with members of the public supporting the deal as depicted on the postcard.