Labour supporters masqueraded as 'real people'

Anthony Butcher · 22-05-2005, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Labour used its supporters to pose as independent members of the public during the general election campaign, it has been revealed.

The party's press officers were told to search through computer files entitled Real People when they needed case-studies of voters supposedly without any party affiliation.

The files have been exposed by an undercover reporter working for Channel 4's Dispatches programme. They are organised according to topics such as community, mortgage and crime - and include family doctors, police officers, teachers and pensioners who toe the party line without revealing their links to Labour.

Jenny Kleeman, the reporter who infiltrated Labour's campaign HQ in the run-up the general election, said that she became aware of the files after co-ordinating Tony Blair's Election Pledge launch in Battersea, South London, in February.

She told The Sunday Telegraph: "Afterwards, a press officer told me with no hint of irony that 'at these events, we like to use what we call Real People'. Then, when I was in the office, I was browsing through the shared computer drive and I found this series of folders with lists and lists of names. Each name had comments beside it like 'enthusiastic', 'married', 'Catholic, six kids, not party member', 'young couple, early 30s, expecting first child'.

"One doctor had 'Will allow use of surgery/endorse NHS' on his file, and appeared in national newspapers, medical journals, Radio 4's The World At One and Radio Five Live endorsing the Government's plans for the NHS. Yet he had presented himself as an independent GP, speaking of his own volition."

Kleeman said that she was not sure whether the people in the files knew that their details were being kept in this way. She added: "Labour hides its own involvement so it looks like individuals are spontaneously inspired to rally to the cause.

"No one I worked with thought there was anything wrong or disingenuous with this - they said it was just politics. But it is relevant because Tony Blair is part of our political process.

"I listened to him give a speech in which he said that we need to explain, engage and listen. Well, he never had any intention of doing that - it was all a veneer of engagement, it was not reality."

Dispatches Investigation: The Dirty Tricks Election will be shown tomorrow at 8pm.

Alex McKee · 22-05-2005, 10:03 AM

I can't wait to watch this program. Unfourtunately my committee (UKIP) is having a meeting at 7.00pm tomorrow. I'll have to record it . . .

GTFC_Adam · 22-05-2005, 11:56 AM

Top marks to them for doing this, but they should have exposed it sooner, like election day. :twisted:

FuroraCeltica · 23-05-2005, 02:08 PM

Gee, New Labour resorting to any and all underhand tactics to deceive the British public.

In further news, bear s**** in woods phenemona, and Pope reveals himself to be catholic

22-05-2005, 10:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
Alex McKee Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gloucester Posts: 6,621	I can't wait to watch this program. Unfourtunately my committee (UKIP) is having a meeting at 7.00pm tomorrow. I'll have to record it . . . __________________ Anything I post on this website is my personal opinion and not necessarily my professional opinion (unless stated as such) nor is an opinion necessarily shared by any committee or group I am affiliated with. Users on Ignore list: None. Please click one of these once a day: http://gloucesterr.myminicity.com/tra

23-05-2005, 02:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
FuroraCeltica Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Manchester Posts: 448	Gee, New Labour resorting to any and all underhand tactics to deceive the British public. In further news, bear s**** in woods phenemona, and Pope reveals himself to be catholic __________________ Every great movement must experience three stages: ridicule, discussion, adoption. John Stuart Mill One person with a belief is equal to ninety-nine who have only interests. Stuart Mill

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

22-05-2005, 11:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
GTFC_Adam Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Grimsby Posts: 276	Top marks to them for doing this, but they should have exposed it sooner, like election day. :twisted: