Very expensive pro-EU leaflets Cameron: back in 4 acts on the controversy – The Obs

The campaign on Brexit opens this Friday, April 15 amid controversy. Ten weeks before the June 23 referendum, which will decide whether the UK remains or not in the European Union, Eurosceptics are outraged that David Cameron has sent to British citizens a brochure listing the advantages to staying in the Union. All at the expense of the taxpayer. To express their displeasure, hundreds of pro-Brexit decided to send the brochure to the Prime Minister. Back on the controversy in four acts

#Acte. 1: pro-EU leaflets Cameron

Since Monday, April 11, the British government flooded the mailboxes of his fellow pamphlets entitled “Why the government thinks that the maintenance in the EU is the best decision for the UK.” In the pamphlet of 16 glossy pages, we learn in particular that leaving the EU would create “years of uncertainty and potential disruptions.” While membership in the group of 28 “maintains more easily criminals and terrorists out of the United Kingdom”.

This booklet doubles as a website where you can read in particular that three million British jobs are directly related to European trade and membership of the EU promotes the emergence of European tourists in Britain.

This communication campaign was financed with public money . 9 million pounds (11 million euros) were disbursed to print and send 27 million leaflets throughout the country

# Act 2. The response Eurosceptics

Eurosceptics are quick to raise their voices to denounce what they see as mismanagement. From 11 April, parliamentarians require a debate in the House of Commons. At the forum, critics fuse. Even in the ranks of the Conservative Party David Cameron. Tory MP Liam Fox, the former Defence Minister, was particularly sarcastic: “It’s already annoying to receive spam (” junk mail “), but there have mail Juncker [ President the European Commission, Ed] sent our own taxes is the straw that broke the camel. ”

The Conservative MP Nigel Evans found him “this kind of swindle worthy Mugabe”, the President of Zimbabwe. notorious eurosceptic President of Ukip independence party, Nigel Farage, has been a pleasure to overwhelm David Cameron: “It is outrageous that the government uses public money to tell us what we should think and do.” For pro-Brexit, sending out fliers before the official launch of the campaign, the government has granted an unfair advantage.

A petition against the use of public funds for campaign pro -EU was launched on the Internet. Five days later, she collected nearly 215,000 signatures

# Act 3. David Cameron is justified

With the rise of vindictiveness, the Prime Minister is summoned to s’ explain. He presents his brochure as an information service to British citizens, based on a survey that revealed that 85% of the population would like to see the government communicate more about the issues of Brexit to make the best choices. “I want everyone easily has all the necessary information but the government has a strong opinion, I do not apologize, and everyone also should know,” said David Cameron.

the head of government also recalled that he left his ministers free to position and to campaign in either camp. Some have already clearly expressed in favor of EU output as Minister of Labour and Pensions, Iain Duncan Smith, the Home Secretary, Theresa Smith, and the Minister of Justice, Michael Gove.

in addition, David Cameron announced that the two major campaigns, “Vote Leave” and “in the campaign,” each would receive from the state up to $ up to 15 million pounds (18 million euros) for their communication

#Acte. 4: Return to sender

But these interventions have not been sufficient to calm the revolt of pro-Brexit. Darren Halket, boss of a small Manchester website development company had the idea to launch on social networks a “Post it back” movement to encourage the British to return their leaflet at 10 Downing Street, residence David Cameron in London or at the headquarters of the Conservative party. “This public money could be spent elsewhere, for nurses, for the homeless, for food banks”, argues the business manager.

Hundreds of eurosceptic citizens have therefore made their brochure, often annotated, the Prime Minister. Twitter and Facebook have seen surge photos or reviews that have burned the tract or have used it as toilet paper or kitty litter.

Maite Hellio