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Tory MP: we have no need to attract ‘dog-end voters in the outlying regions’ Tory MP: we have no need to attract ‘dog-end voters in the outlying regions’
(about 4 hours later)
A Conservative politician has been caught on tape suggesting there is no need for his party to worry about attracting “dog-end voters” who live in “the outlying regions” of Britain.A Conservative politician has been caught on tape suggesting there is no need for his party to worry about attracting “dog-end voters” who live in “the outlying regions” of Britain.
Mark Garnier, Tory MP for Wyre Forest, made the comments when speaking at an event for the Institute of Economic Affairs thinktank, prompting Labour to say this demonstrates the Conservatives are still the “nasty party”.Mark Garnier, Tory MP for Wyre Forest, made the comments when speaking at an event for the Institute of Economic Affairs thinktank, prompting Labour to say this demonstrates the Conservatives are still the “nasty party”.
It comes at a time of political sensitivity about MPs seeming to having sneering attitudes. Former chief whip Andrew Mitchell was found by a judge to have likely called a policeman a “fucking pleb” or something similar, and Emily Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, resigned after tweeting a photograph of a house draped in St George’s flags with a white van outside.It comes at a time of political sensitivity about MPs seeming to having sneering attitudes. Former chief whip Andrew Mitchell was found by a judge to have likely called a policeman a “fucking pleb” or something similar, and Emily Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, resigned after tweeting a photograph of a house draped in St George’s flags with a white van outside.
In the recording, Garnier said a stronger offering should be given to Conservative supporters. “We need to be giving a much clearer message to them that they don’t have to worry about politicians mucking around with tax rates in order to try and attract a few dog-end voters in the outlying regions of the country.”In the recording, Garnier said a stronger offering should be given to Conservative supporters. “We need to be giving a much clearer message to them that they don’t have to worry about politicians mucking around with tax rates in order to try and attract a few dog-end voters in the outlying regions of the country.”
He added: “Not that they’re not important - but what is important is that businesses can feel surety in what is happening within tax rates.”. He added: “Not that they’re not important – but what is important is that businesses can feel surety in what is happening within tax rates.”
Confronted by the Sun about his comments, Garnier told the newspaper: “If I used slack language in order to make a point, I am sorry if I caused any offence to anybody. Certainly no offence is intended. I believe every voter is important everywhere.”Confronted by the Sun about his comments, Garnier told the newspaper: “If I used slack language in order to make a point, I am sorry if I caused any offence to anybody. Certainly no offence is intended. I believe every voter is important everywhere.”
However, Jon Ashworth, a shadow Cabinet Office minister, said his comments displayed a wider truth about the Conservative party that it does not care about many voters.However, Jon Ashworth, a shadow Cabinet Office minister, said his comments displayed a wider truth about the Conservative party that it does not care about many voters.
“After all the famous PR stunts, today’s latest embarrassment from a Tory MP exposes the reality that the ‘nasty party’ never really changed. The truth is that David Cameron’s claims to lead a compassionate Conservative party are now as robust as his deficit reduction timetable. He has failed to modernise his party, just as he has failed to deliver his pledge to balance the nation’s finances.”“After all the famous PR stunts, today’s latest embarrassment from a Tory MP exposes the reality that the ‘nasty party’ never really changed. The truth is that David Cameron’s claims to lead a compassionate Conservative party are now as robust as his deficit reduction timetable. He has failed to modernise his party, just as he has failed to deliver his pledge to balance the nation’s finances.”