Conservative Party election ad sees mass photoshop protest in #RoadToRuin social media campaign
The Conservative Party has been hit with a photoshop nightmare after its first election push of 2015 was widely spoofed on social media.
The Conservative Party's first ad of 2015
The Conservative Party’s ad, entitled ‘Let’s stay on the road to a stronger economy’, was branded inaccurate by critics for its claim that the David Cameron’s government had halved the deficit since 2010.
The graphic (shown below) stated that since taking power in 2010, the Tory Party had created jobs for 1.75m more people, oversaw the opening of 760,000 new businesses and halved the deficit.
Share our poster to let friends know about the important choice facing Britain this year: http://t.co/bFxWCtaq9U pic.twitter.com/cBBY1T28TN
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) January 2, 2015
In a public backlash to the claims, social media users doctored the image and posted their entries on Twitter using the hashtag #RoadToRuin. On Sunday, these creations were trending in the UK on the social network.
On the #RoadToRuin: 628 Sure Starts axed, 66 A&E/maternity wards closed, 477 GP surgeries closed pic.twitter.com/nsc61Bv885 — Angus Carruthers (@AngusCarruthers) January 3, 2015
We like this one too. Watch out for new book NHS for Sale about privatisation of the NHS pic.twitter.com/2BChCZi1rf #RoadToRuin
— Keep Our NHS Public (@keepnhspublic) January 3, 2015
#RoadToRuin RT @QFChelsea: UK Conservatives have new election poster improved for reasons of accuracy. :D @StewyART pic.twitter.com/82l5hsGnCe” — Climate Revolution (@climate_rev) January 3, 2015
It's easy to say "we're all in it together" when unfair cuts dont affect you or anyone you know #RoadToRuin pic.twitter.com/AmHdWWYNGq — KillingBritain (@killingbritain) January 3, 2015
via @jon_swindon #roadtoruin twitter storm 6pm today, share #ToriesMustGo pic.twitter.com/Jt4M5aj7aO — Derek Wall (@Anothergreen) January 3, 2015
A more truthful version of The Toxic Tory Tarmac Poster #RoadToRuin @ivanwhite48 @jon_swindon pic.twitter.com/WTjjlr9bdT — jolly_angelina (@jolly_angelina) January 2, 2015
OK, one more #RoadToRuin poster spoof pic.twitter.com/IspwudRHPK
— The Ranty Highwayman (@RantyHighwayman) January 2, 2015
The ad, which was dubbed “a touch French” by the Daily Mail, was defended by Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps on Saturday.
He said: “We have been absolutely upfront with the size of the challenge facing the British economy.”