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Budget 2014: Row over Tory 'beer and bingo' advert Budget 2014: Row over Tory 'beer and bingo' advert
(about 11 hours later)
A Conservative advertising campaign drawing attention to changes to beer and bingo taxes in the Budget has been criticised as "condescending". A Conservative advert highlighting changes to beer and bingo taxes in the Budget has been criticised by Labour as "condescending".
The online advert said the 1p cut in beer duty and the halving of bingo duty to 10% would help "hardworking people do more of the things they enjoy".The online advert said the 1p cut in beer duty and the halving of bingo duty to 10% would help "hardworking people do more of the things they enjoy".
A picture of the ad was tweeted by Tory co-chairman Grant Shapps. A picture of the advert was tweeted by Tory chairman Grant Shapps.
But Lord Wood, an adviser to Labour leader Ed Miliband, said the ad was "ill-conceived" and its tone "grated". Lib Dem Treasury minister Danny Alexander said it was "rather patronising".
He told the BBC's Newsnight programme it "demeans some sensible things in the Budget".
Mr Alexander said when he first saw the advert, he thought it was a "spoof".
He added: "It may be our Budget but it is their (Conservative) words."
Lord Wood, an adviser to Labour leader Ed Miliband, said the advert was "ill-conceived" and its tone "grated".
'Mr Cholmondley-Warner'
The tax changes were among a series of measures announced by Chancellor George Osborne in a Budget he said would reward the "makers, doers and savers".The tax changes were among a series of measures announced by Chancellor George Osborne in a Budget he said would reward the "makers, doers and savers".
The change to bingo duty followed a prolonged campaign by the industry and MPs from all parties.The change to bingo duty followed a prolonged campaign by the industry and MPs from all parties.
As well as cutting duty on beer and freezing duty on spirits and cider, the government is also scrapping the alcohol duty escalator which saw automatic rises of 2% above inflation every year. As well as cutting duty on beer and freezing duty on spirits and cider, the government is scrapping the alcohol duty escalator which saw automatic rises of 2% above inflation every year.
'Play bingo' Mr Shapps came under fire from Labour figures after tweeting the advert.
Mr Shapps came under fire from Labour figures after tweeting the ad.
"Of all the ill-conceived aspects of this Tory ad, it's the condescending use of the word "they" that grates the most," Lord Wood tweeted."Of all the ill-conceived aspects of this Tory ad, it's the condescending use of the word "they" that grates the most," Lord Wood tweeted.
Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott waded into the debate, tweeting: "Families worse off by £1,600 a year. Tory #budget2014 answer? Let them play bingo!"Former deputy prime minister Lord Prescott waded into the debate, tweeting: "Families worse off by £1,600 a year. Tory #budget2014 answer? Let them play bingo!"
And shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said the ad reminded him "of Mr Cholmondley-Warner when he asked Grayson to investigate the 'working class'". And shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said the advert reminded him "of Mr Cholmondley-Warner when he asked Grayson to investigate the 'working class'".
The subject immediately trended on Twitter, as people posted pastiche versions of the ad. The subject immediately trended on Twitter, as people posted pastiche versions of the advert.
Mr Shapps did not respond to the criticism but, in a subsequent tweet, accused Mr Miliband of failing to address any of the Budget's main proposals in his response in the House of Commons.Mr Shapps did not respond to the criticism but, in a subsequent tweet, accused Mr Miliband of failing to address any of the Budget's main proposals in his response in the House of Commons.
The row comes amid attempts by the Conservatives to appeal beyond their traditional heartlands and appeal to blue collar voters who are seen as vital to helping them win the next election. The row comes amid attempts by the Conservatives to appeal beyond their traditional heartlands and attract blue collar voters who are seen as vital to helping them win the next election.
Conservative MP Robert Halfon, who lobbied for the bingo change, has suggested that the party should rename itself the Workers Party and give free membership to trade unionists.Conservative MP Robert Halfon, who lobbied for the bingo change, has suggested that the party should rename itself the Workers Party and give free membership to trade unionists.
But Labour seized on recent comments by education secretary Michael Gove criticising the number of Old Etonians advising David Cameron as proof the government is out of touch and "privileged". But Labour seized on recent comments by education secretary Michael Gove criticising the number of Old Etonians advising David Cameron as proof the government was out of touch and "privileged".