Tory hypocrisy over sponsorship as party flogs conference packages to public sector bodies

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government has found himself in a bit of a Pickle(s). Having slammed council spending on public relations as an ”outrageous waste of taxpayers’ cash”, Cameron’s pet northener (© Kevin Maguire 2010) has been accused of hypocrisy: the Conservative Party is charging local bodies thousands of pounds for hospitality, exhibition space and sponsorship at its annual conference.

After laying out plans to “name and shame” councils retaining external agencies, PR Week reports that the Tories have charged public organisations, including London 2012, Westminster City Council and Thames Gateway, for so-called hosting packages.

The offering to exhibitors with stalls illustrates the kind of hospitality on offer to those who can afford it. For a fee of between £4,900 to £10,450, you can avail yourself of a tour of the conference space given by a member of the ”frontbench team” or a “senior party official”, “complimentary photos” and access to a private area with “complimentary beverages”. The commercial opportunities section of the conference website is something of a smoking gun, with the party clearly setting its sights on taxpayers’ cash:

While all parties charge for these kinds of services, it is Reverend Pickles and the rest of the Tories that are preaching from the pulpit. Scrapbook are trying to get hold of details for public bodies paying them taxpayers’ money.

If you know anything then please let us know.