Tory Porkies 2, or "When is a Tory Not a Tory?"

Wordsearch: Anyone spot "Conservative"?
No, me neither...!

With the government in complete disarray (again) - whether it is about taxing pasties, charity donations, fuel strikes, millionaire tax cuts, the NHS or - unbelievably this week - getting the day of the week wrong in a major legal case, I suppose you cannot blame local Conservatives for being, well, a bit embarrassed about how inept their national party is governing the country. However, to put out a local leaflet that is completely devoid of any mention of the Conservative Party is cynical even by Exeter Tories' pretty low standards. Of course, they have a track record on "being economical with the truth" and putting out misleading literature, but the latest newsletter from Cllr Cynthia Thompson really is something else.

Exeter Tories are not alone in being nervous about the affect that the national "toxic brand" of Conservatism may have on their local election chances. While in Dorset last week, I spotted this poster from a local Tory candidate...

... not a mention of "Conservative" in sight! And so it is with the latest leaflet to hit Pinhoe. Why can't they just be honest? Why can't they just be straight with local voters? "We are Conservatives." Is it so hard to admit? Apparently it is.

However, I would argue that Cllr Thompson's little missive goes further than a mere generic-looking billboard. Rather patronisingly, Exeter Tories want to ask people not to consider national issues when voting on May 3rd:

What a condescending way to talk to people! Local elections DO change things nationally - and that is exactly what Exeter's Conservatives fear. When a government faces devastating local election results, their MPs from marginal constituencies begin to get jittery. They fear for their seats, and they begin to put pressure on ministers to change tack, to do things differently. Local votes and voices are noted in Westminster, make no mistake. Otherwise, why would national party leaders get involved at all in launching local campaigns?

Secondly councillors, and the teams of activists that they work with, are the lifeblood of any general election campaign. The less "boots on the ground" there are, the weaker that party is. If - as is expected - the Tories lose significant seats across the country on May 3rd as people give their verdict on a government that is failing them, backbench Tory MPs will demand the government does better because they know that weaker local constituencies means weaker parliamentary seats. 

National policies affect people locally, as I have written about before here. I shall work for Pinhoe locally - that is the role of a councillor after all. However, I will also work as part of Labour team with Cllr Saxon Spence at county level, and Ben Bradshaw MP at national level to protect the people of Pinhoe ward and Exeter from the devastating policies of the Tory-run County Council and the national government.

I shall write a post later to "de-bunk" some of the other claims in the Tories' "non-branded" newsletter (more "Tory Porkies" I fear!) but for now be sure of this: unlike my opponent, I am proud of the parties I represent - Labour and Co-operative. I am proud of what they have, and are, delivering in Exeter. I am proud of their histories and values in working for, and protecting, ordinary men, women and families of all backgrounds.