Tories resort to cheap tactics by calling Ukip’s Tim Aker by Turkish name

[T_i_B]

I'm even more glad then usual that I don't live in Thurrock. If this is how the next general election is going to be fought then we are all pretty much buggered. Reprehensible dog-Whistle politics.

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/dec/02/tories-ukip-byelection-thurrock-tim-aker-timur-cheap

The Tories have been accused of resorting to “incredibly cheap” tactics after the party referred to a Ukip candidate in a byelection leaflet by his full Turkish name of birth, which he shortened as a schoolboy.

Tim Aker, a Ukip MEP for the south-east of England who is standing in a council byelection on Thursday in Thurrock, hit out at the Conservatives after they referred to him as Timür next to a picture of two extremist preachers.

Jackie Doyle-Price, the local Tory MP, defended the leaflet. Doyle-Price, who will be challenged by Aker in the Thurrock parliamentary seat next May, described the leaflet as childish but not racist. The MP told the Daily Telegraph: “If I’m honest with you I think by referring to his Turkish heritage we’ve actually given him credibility because frankly having roots from oversees is nothing to be ashamed of. Actually they are something to be proud. What we’ve done is actually broadcast the fact that Tim is just as much a citizen with diverse roots as anybody else in this country. It’s probably going to do him a favour.”

But the Conservative leadership distanced itself from the leaflet. A party spokesman said: “This is not something we condone.”

[CurtEastPoint]

1. Well, those tactics are nothing new: "Barack HUSSEIN Obama"

[T_i_B]

2. It really is the sort of stunt the BNP would pull

British Politics has become a race to see who can shot "Look...Muslims. BOO!!!" the loudest. Pathetic.

[LeftishBrit]

3. Disgusting. In that constituency, the Tories seem to be out-UKIP-ing UKIP

It's not just the use of the name, but showing him next to extremist preachers. That's the sort of thing Republicans do; I may be naïve, but I am shocked that British Tories would stoop quite so OBVIOUSLY low nowadays. I'd expect them to stoop pretty low, but not that low!

And especially as one of the most currently influential Tories (Boris!) is part-Turkish, I could imagine this going down badly in some Tory circles.

[T_i_B]

4. Well, they have mounted a blatantly dishonest defence...

But Thurrock is an area full of anti-immigrant blowhards and it's clear how they would have interpreted that leaflet.

[fedsron2us]

5. Let us hope no one looks at Boris Johnsons ancestors