Tories accuse Labour of hiding Blair
Following the announcement that Labour will not be using a general election ‘battlebus’, the Conservatives have accused the party of
attempting to hide from proper scrutiny.
The so-called ‘battlebuses’ have been a feature of general election campaigns since the 1980s. Political journalists and television crews
would travel in the bus from one show piece engagement to another.
General election strategy co-ordinator Alan Milburn said yesterday that the bus would be scrapped for the up-coming campaign, and instead the party would focus on local campaigning and local radio phone-ins and television appearances.
Labour’s campaign slogan will remain “Britain is working, don’t let the Tories wreck it”, a play on the 1980’s Conservative posters which
proclaimed “Britain isn’t working”.
In addition, the tradition of a daily press conference in London will also be scrapped.
Conservative co-chairman Liam Fox criticised the move, saying: “This is further proof that Tony Blair is terrified of facing proper scrutiny.
At a time when the British people are looking for more accountability and openness, this Government turns its back on them, abandoning plans to tour the country and too scared to face journalists in daily press conferences. It does all rather beg the question: What have they got to
hide?”
He added: “The economy looks more and more gloomy, and now we hear that Tony Blair is planning an election campaign in which he does not speak to journalists or the people. This sounds increasingly like a Government in panic that is preparing to cut and run.”
Liberal Democrat chief executive Lord Chris Rennard also suggested that Labour was seeking to avoid scrutiny, saying: “If Labour is avoiding
morning press conferences in London it is probably because it wants much less scrutiny of its record and its promises for the future.
“Tony Blair seems to have disappeared from Labour leaflets and broadcasts. In contrast Charles Kennedy will feature prominently in the Liberal
Democrat campaign right across the country.”
