The Tories need to focus on "absolute priorities" like easing the cost of living for working-class votes, not civil servants wearing rainbow lanyards, former Government minister Robert Halfon has said.
Halfon, one of the architects of 'blue collar Conservativism' which showed the party how to reach working-class voters, described the so-called culture wars as "an alley" and a "minority pursuit".
Halfon told today's Chopper's Political Podcast: "If you go down an alley, which is a kind of minority pursuit, you're not focusing on real priorities that affect people's everyday lives.
"Like, 'will I get a GP appointment in the next few days rather than two or 3 or 4 weeks down the line'?"
Tories need to focus on 'absolute priorities' – not rainbow lanyards, says Robert Halfon MP
GB News
Halfon said he understood why 'culture wars' issues chimed with Conservative supporters, but it was important to recognise that there were other far more key issues for a lot of working-class voters.
He said: "I have always, always tried to focus on the key things that matter, because those are the things that voters are going to make their decisions."
Earlier this week Cabinet Office minister Esther McVey warned civil servants not to express political views "by the back door" through rainbow-coloured lanyards that are worn to demonstrate support for LGBT rights.
Halfon told the podcast: "Some of it is really important. Lanyards - I just don't care.
MORE FROM CHOPPER'S PODCAST:
Halfon said he understood why 'culture wars' issues chimed with Conservative supporters
GB News
"I've worn a Ukraine lanyard and am very proud to do so, although I don't wear them very much...we've got to be very careful what 'blue collar' Conservatism is all about.
"And what it's about is absolute priorities on the cost of living. I get constituents saying I'm working 48 hours. I have hardly any money left, even with all the government help, which I support, the £900 tax cut and so on.
"I get constituents writing to me all the time about affordable housing because people don't, you know, so most of our population have a tiny amount of savings, right?
"They can't even afford a deposit for a house. And we need affordable housing in Harlow considered council, we brought built social housing. I'm proud of that. And it's why we won.
Christopher Hope
GB News
"Because we also have been conservative because we've frozen council tax every year through the last three years and built affordable housing."
The interview was the first given by Halfon since he surprised Westminster in seven weeks by announcing his resignation as a minister and his plans to quit as an MP for Harlow at the next general election.