Andrew Cooper is the Conservative candidate in the Tamworth by-election
The Tory by-election candidate suggested that out-of-work parents, Those struggling to feed their children should cancel their TV subscription before seeking help.
Andrew Cooper, who is performing in Tamworth, shared a post on social media saying families should ” fuck off” if they were looking for support to pay for a phone contract or cosmetic work.
A Conservative councilor is seeking to replace Chris Pincher in Thursday's by-election. Mr Pincher, a former deputy chief whip, was suspended after he was found to have groped two men at a private club. He denied it.
According to The Mirror, in 2020, Mr Cooper posted a photo of a flowchart on Facebook asking: “Can you feed your children?”
The chart suggests those paying for “TV Sky/BT /etc.”, “have a telephone contract + £30” are unemployed, or “the nail/eyebrow/lip fee” should “fall off” instead of asking for help.
“That was three years ago”
In a subsequent statement to The Mirror, he said: “I think most people in Tamworth would agree that benefits are not about paying for luxury. There are too many people on the dole and incentives need to be improved to get people to work.”
Mr Cooper told Channel 5 News on Wednesday: “I mean, obviously that's not the case. something I would share now in today's world. This was three years ago. We have clearly matured and have different opinions than three years ago.
“Of course, I'm sorry if I offended anyone. But in the modern world it is very difficult to have your own opinion and not offend someone.
“There will always be someone who is offended by what people say. After all, I am someone who has worked hard my entire life to give my children what they want and need every day.”
The controversy was raised on Wednesday at Prime Minister's Questions when Karin Smith, a Labor MP, asked Rishi Sunak to condemn Mr Cooper's “foul-mouthed comments about families struggling to make ends meet.”
The Prime Minister did not mention the Conservative candidate in his response, but instead told the House of Commons: “I am proud that we are supporting people through the cost of living.”
Andrew Griffith, Minister government, suggested Mr Cooper should be more careful in his remarks, but he praised him as a “fantastic” candidate while speaking to broadcasters on Wednesday morning.
The economic finance minister told Times Radio: “Everyone must choose their language wisely, not least on social media. But in a candidate you are looking for someone who will be local, who will work hard, and who will be absolutely empathetic and represent their local constituents to the best of their ability.”
Stephanie Peacock, Labor MP, is leading the campaign party in Tamworth, said: “The Tories oversaw 13 years of virtually zero growth before crashing the economy. As a result, a third of children in Tamworth are growing up in poverty, and two thirds of them are in working families.
“This shows a complete lack of understanding of the problems facing families in Tamworth, which the Conservative candidate is telling parents who are struggling forces are trying to make ends meet go to hell.
Labour is hoping to reverse the Tory majority in Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire in Thursday's by-election, which was triggered by the resignations of Mr Pincher and Nadine Dorries. former Minister of Culture.
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