THE Conservative Party have been forced to apologise after a leaked memo suggested Tory ministers and MPs have failed to “get behind” campaigning and have refused to knock on doors.
According to The Times, Conservative staff accused MPs of focusing too much on ministerial business in a document emailed to party MPs by a senior campaigning figure at Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ).
The message had two attachments – one was a constituency breakdown with what appeared to be sanitised comments while the other had the unfiltered thoughts of Conservative staff.
The email was later recalled but the “key theme” identified was that candidates had failed to “get behind” the campaign, with some on holiday or refusing to knock on doors.
In one case, the memo even disclosed personal health information about a candidate’s spouse.
Speaking to The Times, one MP accused CCHQ of “rank incompetence” in sending out the comments while another added: “Great way to start a campaign, piss everyone in marginal seats off in the first week.”
Sunak had a difficult start to campaigning after announcing an election in the midst of a downpour outside Downing Street.
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His trip included a visit to Scotland, where images showed him avoiding the public, as well as the Titanic Quarter in Belfast which invited “sinking ship” comparisons.
He also made quite the gaffe when he asked people in Wales if they were looking forward to the Euros despite the country not qualifying for the tournament.
The memo singled out constituencies believes to be a part of the 80/20 strategy used by CCHQ which piles resources into the 80 most marginal seats and the top 20 it believes it could gain.
In several cases, a lack of funding was raised as an issue. In Bury North, the seat held by deputy chair James Daly, it was said there were “low funds, circa £2k, met with donors but so far no donations”.
West Country seats such as Frome and East Somerset meanwhile were said to “urgently need” a chunk of funding.
Nature minister Rebecca Pow was accused by campaigning staff of spending too much time on “ministerial business” while MP for Wrexham Sarah Atherton was accused of “refusing to engage”.
A spokesperson for the Conservative Party told The Times: “As you would expect a huge number of reports and emails are compiled and sent daily.
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“The email was sent in error and immediately recalled. Those who received it have been contacted with apology.”
In Cheadle, Greater Manchester, where Mary Robinson is the MP, it was said the candidate was away for “seven days on holiday”.
“Lack of co-operation” was also noted for Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker.
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