Labour attack ads: Senior Tory calls for cross-party inquiry to tackle ‘politics of hate’
Labour has faced criticism for its personal attacks on Rishi Sunak
PA
Senior Conservative MP Tobias Ellwood has today called for a cross-party inquiry, which would lead to a code of conduct being created for political parties.
It comes after Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party has launched a series of attack ads against Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in recent weeks.
Ellwood has also called on social media platforms to do more to combat malicious political campaigns, which are regularly seen in US politics.
Reflecting on the latest Labour party attack ads the Tory grandee said: “The slide towards a US style of political debate must be halted.
Sir Keir Starmer has been warned not to repeat the tactics
PA"I would like to see a cross-party inquiry launched to offer recommendations for a code of conduct that all political parties can sign up to.
“This would include greater responsibility placed on social media companies to identify and delete any material that falls short of the standards agreed.”
Ellwood added: “Social media companies must also take greater responsibility in monitoring how their platforms are used to vilify opponents with falsehoods.
However, some Labour MPs have already dismissed hope of cross-party cooperation.
Tobias Ellwood is leading the calls for a cross-party inquiry
PA
Labour MP Khalid Mahmood told GB News: “When the Tory Party ads come out, I don’t want my team, Keir Starmer or anyone else or anyone else saying this is bad, this sort of thing goes on everywhere.”
In a warning to the Labour Party, Ellwood said: “British politics is entering a dark chapter that risks damaging our hard-earned reputation as a democratic exemplar on the global stage.
“Personal attacks, smears and the peddling of falsehoods are becoming the norm.”
He added: “Political leadership is about winning the argument, inspiring others to join your cause, not belittling your opponents or leveraging the politics of hate.”
Labour made considerable gains in the local elections last week, but Ellwood warned a continuation of personal attack ads could have an unexpected negative impact for Starmer at the next general election.
Ellwood said: “Labour’s refusal to remove its misleading attack ads about Rishi Sunak might energise loyal supporters but it’s likely to put people off voting.”
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