The Conservatives have a new idea to attract young people to their party. It’s so tragic, it’s hilarious.
The Labour Party has done an impressive job attracting young members. As of January 2018, Labour’s youth wing was about the same size as the Liberal Democrat’s total membership.
The Conservatives have done less well. And rather than trying to emulate Labour’s success – say by proposing policies that will actually improve young people’s lives – those cheeky Conservatives are offering [paywall]…. *DRUM ROLL*
…a discount at Nando’s!
Wow
The Conservatives are considering a complimentary discount card with yearly membership, according to the Times. This card would offer [paywall] savings on clothes, food, and ‘other purchases’. Which is exciting for young people, as the Conservative’s wage-squeeze could last several more years. Yay, Britain.
Despite the Times mentioning it [paywall] in its article, Nando’s doesn’t appear to be actually confirmed yet. It says the proposed discount card could include [paywall] “restaurants like Nando’s”, however.
An insider told [paywall] the Times:
These are early discussions – we don’t know how many businesses would want to take part, but we’re keen to give members more in return for their membership.
Read on...
Perhaps they’ll start by asking the businesess who already donate heavily to the party. After all, many of these are already producing the sort of ‘hip’ products that young people are ‘down for’. Products like:
- Ginsters pies.
- Warburtons bread.
- Soreen malt loaf.
Response
The Conservatives’ proposed discount card isn’t going down well with young people, however:
Labour: we will build houses, protect renters, make education free, ensure you are paid at least £10 an hour, protect the environment and ensure public ownership of trains and other utilities
Tories: we’ve heard about Nando’s. Would you like 10% off Nando’s? https://t.co/D5p7iSmQ6y— Dulcie Fairhurst (@DulcieFairhurst) May 19, 2018
the reason nobody wants to join ur party is cos ur defunct of ideas, brimming with bigotry, ur pushing a dying ideology and have decimated public services while shafting a generation. not sure 10% off at Zizzi is gonna cut it, guys. https://t.co/cFxHnb0Co7
— Michael Segalov (@MikeSegalov) May 19, 2018
Join the Tories and get 10% off your next Nandos?!?!!!!
This is not a political party that is going places….. https://t.co/5nmBNQMkk3
— Magpie Ranger (@NUFC_OurClub) May 19, 2018
All the young dudes
The Conservative’s vice-chairman for youth is Ben Bradley. He’s quoted in the Times article as saying [paywall]:
You should feel comfortable in the local Conservative Association — if you don’t we’re doing something wrong.
Bradley is also famous for once having urged jobless people to have vasectomies. So maybe the party is doing something wrong when it comes to attracting new members?
Although I’m sure it’s nothing that can’t be solved with 10% off a chicken dinner.
Get Involved!
– Join The Canary, so we can keep holding the powerful to account.
Featured image via Kuhlman / MSC – Wikimedia / Gavin Mahalo – Flickr / Chris McAndrew – Wikimedia
We know everyone is suffering under the Tories - but the Canary is a vital weapon in our fight back, and we need your support
The Canary Workers’ Co-op knows life is hard. The Tories are waging a class war against us we’re all having to fight. But like trade unions and community organising, truly independent working-class media is a vital weapon in our armoury.
The Canary doesn’t have the budget of the corporate media. In fact, our income is over 1,000 times less than the Guardian’s. What we do have is a radical agenda that disrupts power and amplifies marginalised communities. But we can only do this with our readers’ support.
So please, help us continue to spread messages of resistance and hope. Even the smallest donation would mean the world to us.
