Independent Media | Campaigning Journalism
Twitter didn’t disappoint when it came to taking down the Scottish Tory leader’s latest PR stunt
On 26 July, the Scottish Conservatives sent out a tweet to find out who wanted to back Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson. The tweet provided a link to “help her” by donating to or joining the Scottish Conservative Party. It also claimed that “It’s only Ruth Davidson who can lead the fight against the SNP”:
It’s only Ruth Davidson who can lead the fightback against the SNP.
Learn more about how you can help her: https://t.co/IEm4WmkobS pic.twitter.com/V5Be7acdrQ
— ScotConservatives (@ScotTories) July 26, 2018
The polls
Scottish Conservatives sent the tweet after news broke of the SNP preparing for a possible snap general election. The SNP currently dominates the Westminster voting intentions, with 42% of the vote. The Scottish Conservatives are in second place, with 24%, and Scottish Labour is in third place with 23%. In current UK wide polls, Labour is ahead of the Conservatives in Westminster voting intentions.
As the Tories attempted to drum up support for their leader, Twitter certainly didn’t disappoint with comebacks.
The reaction
The thread of the Scottish Conservatives’ “Team Ruth” post was littered with comments about recent Brexit revelations:
Aye,right! When I was in the supermarket this afternoon wondering if I should start stocking up on canned food like some crazy doomsday prepper. Did I think to myself "Team Ruth" will solve our problems ? Did I f…!
— Henri de Rokesburge (@rokesburge) July 26, 2018
It's her party taking us out the EU
A recent opinion poll says 73% of Scots want to #remain
Will you be using that #darkmoney to obfuscate your election spending?
— YES 🏴 Бот (@YESthatcherDead) July 26, 2018
Some people commented on the secretary of state for Scotland’s claim of a “power bonanza” for the Scottish Parliament after Brexit:
None of Ruth Davidson's team seem to be available to explain details of Scotland's powers bonanza #bbcgms
— Phantom Power (@PhantomPower14) July 14, 2017
Others raised the absence of Scottish Conservatives’ policies [pdf] that diverge from the UK Conservative Party:
Great, where can I read her policies?
— Steve B (@ancientnoise1) July 26, 2018
Must be more than that surely? What's her position on tax for instance?
— Steve B (@ancientnoise1) July 26, 2018
And of course, there is an ongoing call for Ruth Davidson to speak out over the ‘dark money’ allegations:
— Arthur Ballantyne (@Arf_Ballantyne) July 26, 2018
Still nothing? pic.twitter.com/XyVu1XS9Bp
— Craig 🏴 (@craigcook62) July 27, 2018
The chair of Welfare Scotland, Rob McDowall, decided to respond with a video politely declaring he was “Team Nicola”:
I’m #TeamNicola #TeamScotland pic.twitter.com/WAj8tp4jzy
— Rob McDowall (Raibeart Mhicdhughaill) (@robmcd85) July 26, 2018
When Tories try to be personable
When Tories try to be personable, it tends to backfire. Just like Theresa May when she explained [paywall] how she likes to unwind from her stressful job:
PR stunts don’t seem to go very well for the Tories. Perhaps voters would have more respect for the Conservatives if they’d just get on and call another general election.
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Featured image via Scottish Conservatives/Twitter
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