Treasury's Official Social Media Account Slammed For Promoting Tory Party Message
The Treasury has come under fire for using their official social media account to promote the Conservatives’ political message this morning.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the formal account for His Majesty’s Treasury posted: “Inflation is now 2.3%. Let’s stick to the plan.”
It was accompanied by a gif where the previous 3.2% inflation rate was scribbled out and replaced with 2.3%.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has just announced that inflation dropped, meaning it is close to the Bank of England’s 2% target.
But, the “let’s stick to the plan” slogan comes from the Conservative campaign.
In response to the inflation drop this morning, prime minister Rishi Sunak said: “This is proof that the plan is working and that the difficult decisions we have taken are paying off.
“Brighter days are ahead, but only if we stick to the plan to improve economic security and opportunity for everyone.”
Inflation is now 2.3%.
Let's stick to the plan. pic.twitter.com/Vb5ZwLDfvf— HM Treasury (@hmtreasury) May 22, 2024
The government has been repeating this phrase about a plan for months, in an effort to sell Sunak’s “long-term” vision for the country.
However, it’s worth remembering the government is not actually responsible for inflation – it only sets the target.
The Bank of England is responsible for price rises, and it controls that through interest rates.
The government was also keen to separate itself from inflation when it reached a 40-year high of 11.1% in October 2022.
And, like all official government departments, the Treasury is meant to be apolitical.
Civil servants are not meant to show any political allegiance, otherwise there could be criticism that public resources are used to promote party politics.
So, as you can image, people on X were less than impressed with this latest message from a government department...
Hang on - why is the official Treasury account being used for party political slogans? https://t.co/m5bXFRMMWh
— Peter Walker (@peterwalker99) May 22, 2024
Blatant party political content on an official account. You should be ashamed of yourself. And also be on a list of people to be sacked with a change of government.
— Lewis Baston (@lewis_baston) May 22, 2024
Why is an official government account being used for @Conservatives propaganda?@hmtreasury should NOT be saying
"Let's stick to the plan"
Tories - the snake oil merchants of the 21st Century? https://t.co/0EmYqKhh0L— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) May 22, 2024
Why is the treasury being used for government party slogans?
— Rob (@JuceeRob) May 22, 2024
Weirdly crowing when:
a) this is @bankofengland responsibility
b) the figures were disappointing compared with expectations https://t.co/On2ohD1xVK— Chris Giles (@ChrisGiles_) May 22, 2024
Whoever is pumping out party political propaganda for @hmtreasury on taxpayer funded channels (this is far from the first time) should be shown the door a la Tom Scholar if there is a change of government. When I think of the things the Tories tried to claim were ‘politicisation’… https://t.co/JOJvHqdRe7
— ALASTAIR CAMPBELL (@campbellclaret) May 22, 2024
Imagine using the treasury for partisan politics https://t.co/erXK094dqg
— Rob Banker 🌈🏳️🌈🇬🇧🇪🇺 #FBPE (@robjoe11) May 22, 2024
The @bankofengland is responsible for inflation — it has nothing to do with Government.@Conservatives using Gov Comms for political purposes again, then?
— Alex Richards (@AlxdrRchrds) May 22, 2024
A party political broadcast, brought to you by the @Conservatives.
Pretty sure this is against the rules, lads.— Don McGowan {the ethical Blue Tick} (@donmcgowan) May 22, 2024