Theresa May urges Labour voters to 'look afresh' at the Conservatives

Pic:Theresa May penned the piece urging people to consider a switch ( AP )
Political reporter(wp/es):

Theresa May has penned a detailed message urging Laboursupporters to switch their allegiance to the Conservatives instead.

The Prime Minister, in a detailed piece written for the Observer, outlined her desire for “the Conservatives to be a party for the whole country”.

She also took her opportunity for a fresh swipe at opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Mrs May claimed his leadership had left some lifelong Labour backers “appalled”.

Outlining her desires for people to switch allegiance, Mrs May wrote: “I want voters who may previously have thought of themselves as Labour supporters to look at my government afresh.

“They will find a decent, moderate and patriotic programme that is worthy of their support.”

Following this, she largely promoted what she sees as the key recent achievements and the goals of the Conservative party.

She outlined her desires for a “best Brexit deal for Britain”, investment in the NHS, improved standards in schools and building a strong economy.

Harking to Labour’s commonly used “for the many, not the few” slogan, she ended her piece: “The British people are not bound by ideology and there has never been a time when party labels have counted for less. This presents an opportunity Conservatives must seize – to be a party not for the few, not even for the many, but for everyone in our country who works hard and plays by the rules.”

Mrs May’s vision, which was slightly more than 1,000 long and also posted on her official Facebook page, has met derision in some quarters.

Labour Party chairman Ian Lavery said: "With the Government about to impose some of their most brutal cuts yet on working people, Theresa May's claim that austerity is over is a con.

"The Tories have spent their entire time in power running down our schools, local services and NHS, while gifting huge tax breaks to big business.

"The Prime Minister is clearly spooked, so is resorting to desperate pleas in an attempt revive her failing administration. The British public won't be fooled."

While John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, said he was “not worried at all” that people would switch form Labour to Conservative.

Speaking on Sky News’ Ridge on Sunday he said “They’re falling apart. So it is no wonder she’s desperately looking for support fairly cynically from anywhere. No I’m not worried at all.”

Some Conservative supporters also seemed confused by the Prime Ministers words. 

One person, responding to Mrs May on social media, asked: “What about those voters who previously thought themselves as Conservatives? Where do you suggest we go?"