People are hilariously mocking the Tories' new Brexit propaganda plans.
The Labour party conference saw a surprising degree of unity emerge over everything from Brexit to economic policy. A week on, the Tories are tearing chunks out of each other at their annual gathering in Birmingham.
While senior backbenchers grandstand over their hatred of the PM’s Chequers plan, May has come up with a rather desperate red herring: a festival of Brexit.
The idea was never going to land well – not least after the Tories relentlessly mocked Corbyn’s LabourLive festival. And the planned timing – though designed to bolster the party’s electoral fortunes – could actually devastate them in the likely event it’s a flop: it’s scheduled for January 2022, four month before a General Election.
Although apparently taking inspiration from the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the 1951 Festival of Britain, the differences couldn’t be clearer.
Unlike Brexit, the Great Exhibition was a celebration of internationalism and cooperation, with contributions and exhibits from across the globe. Similarly, the Festival of Britain came amid the sense of unity and solidarity that followed WWII. Again, unlike the divisive issue of Brexit.
Announcing the plans, May said:
“Almost 70 years ago the Festival of Britain stood as a symbol of change. Britain once again stands on the cusp of a new future as an outward facing global trading nation…
“We want to capture that spirit for a new generation, celebrate our nation’s diversity and talent and mark this moment of national renewal with a once-in-a-generation celebration.”
It has certainly captured the attention – if not the spirit – of a new generation.
Twitter has reacted with a mixture of disbelief, good old British sarcasm, and general hilarity:
Apparently, when you go to the Festival of Brexit Britain, you’ll be able to refuse to pay the entrance fee and demand unlimited access to all the attractions.
— Marcus Chown (@marcuschown) September 30, 2018
Comedian David Schneider runs through the key attractions:
Here are some of the key attractions already booked for Theresa May’s Festival of Brexit. #marr pic.twitter.com/ORXQtUBaND
— David Schneider (@davidschneider) September 30, 2018
I do hope they manage to hoard enough “adequate food” for the Festival of Brexit Britain.
— Emma Kennedy (@EmmaKennedy) September 30, 2018
An alternative take on the Festival of Britain which inspired this idea…
The Festival of Brexit Britain.
My poster based on the 1951 original. pic.twitter.com/APZwCM5JBc— Richard Littler (@richard_littler) September 30, 2018
Monty Python’s Life of Brian, and the Wickerman, both had to make an appearance…
Opening ceremony: pic.twitter.com/mwhkUeH6MG
— Mark ‘deeply unhelpful’ Buckley 🇮🇪 🇪🇺 🏳️🌈 (@mark_a_trash) September 30, 2018
Of course, there’s also the grim reality:
In June last year, Theresa May told a nurse (who hadn’t received a pay rise in 8 years) “there is no magic money tree”.
Now she plans to cough up £120m for a Brexit festival to appease her party hardliners. Truly indefensible. https://t.co/5JpDLtQNkf
— Best For Britain (@BestForBritain) September 30, 2018
As one Twitter user noted, with 4.5m kids living in poverty, and a million people using foodbanks, Theresa May’s £120m splurge on Brexit propaganda is just downright offensive.
It’s all right to laugh though – if the party’s internal squabbles get any worse May is unlikely to still be leader in 2022…
Josiah Mortimer is Editor of Left Foot Forward. Follow him on Twitter.
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