Theresa May is attempting to rebrand the Conservative party. In fact, she’s so secure in her own abilities as its leader that she’s now renaming the party in her own image – “Theresa May’s Team”. But the launch of the new slogan hasn’t gone very well. In fact it’s biting her in the arse.
Cult of personality
The new slogan was launched in Harrow today. Party loyalists were gathered to launch the candidates for the party in London and the South East. And the “Theresa May’s Team” banners were festooned across the room:
https://twitter.com/MichaelPDeacon/status/861510936728883200
But even those who like May were quick to criticse the new slogan:
I like her but this "Theresa May's team" nonsense better be an election strategy rather than a future template for the party. https://t.co/i84vBY2D6H
— Ben Harris (@btharris93) May 8, 2017
Others further pointed out that emphasising May was making her look more like a dictator:
@ChrisMasonBBC 🙌MSM is not properly-challenging dropping of "Conservative" for the #NaziParty-style "Theresa May's team"😯
— Adi Johnson🔻Email: [email protected] (@adiskype) May 8, 2017
A toxic brand
It was also pointed out that this change in strategy could be linked to the Conservative Party’s toxic image:
The Conservative party is considered so toxic that they've had to essentially rebrand as Theresa May's team. https://t.co/PSnNpq0K84
— Paul (@thisoddkid) May 8, 2017
And a belief that it can win more votes concentrating on May as a leader:
https://twitter.com/jake_smyth/status/861524229724020737
So why are you hiding?
But as some commented, if “Theresa May’s Team” is so great, why is she hiding?
If the tories think "Theresa May's team" is so good, why won't she take part in a live TV debate with other leaders?
— Rob L #FBPE 🇪🇺 (@rcynic) May 8, 2017
Others wondered how Conservative voters would cope upon seeing the ballot papers:
https://twitter.com/volkan_gunduz/status/861529670361206784
And it even made others nostalgic for “strong and stable”:
Okay, seeing "Theresa May's TEAM" as the apparent new slogan actually makes me wish we had "Strong and Stable" back. https://t.co/9US4LwnDTF
— Alicia (@agbutteriss) May 8, 2017
Don’t be distracted
But as people pointed out, it’s important not to be distracted and remember what the Tories have done:
#GE2017 isn't for 'Theresa May's team" it's for Tory party – foodbanks, cuts to NHS, child poverty, benefitting rich. Don't be fooled again. https://t.co/VkMsQLxZ9b
— BritInLimousin (@englishVA) May 8, 2017
Whether the rebranding related to May’s own megalomaniac desires for complete control of the party, or to avoid the toxic brand of Tory policies, is unknown. And whether you want to call them “Theresa May’s Team” or the “Conservative Party”, the facts remain the same.
May and her government are decimating our NHS, chronically underfunding our schools, slashing benefits all while making sure the rich are getting richer. And it is a record that May is so ashamed of that she’s hiding from public debates and locking local journalists in rooms.
But “Theresa May’s Team” does not care about ordinary people. It cares about the wealthy elite. And it’s time we all decided to put that elite firmly in its place.
Get Involved!
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– Also read more Canary articles on the 2017 general election.
Featured image via Wikimedia
