A Man of Straw sends a Message of Fear

I have received through my letter box (unsolicited) the South East version of "Europe & You". This is "promoted by Will Straw on behalf of Britain Stronger in Europe (The In Campaign) Ltd both at St Bride's House Salisbury Square London EC4Y 8EH and published by St Ives PLC Battye Street Laisterdyke Bradford BD4 8AG" 

Europe and you? Shouldn't that be the European Union and you? 

It would be instructive to know how much this propaganda sheet cost and who provided the finance for it - was it the Conservative Party?

Will Straw is the son of the former Home Secretary (and Foreign Secretary) Jack Straw and is one of those who really are an integral part of the Westminster 'village'. Others who could be identified in this group are people like Euan Blair and Stephen Kinnock; children of the Labour 'Hierarchy'. It would be interesting to know what their experience is of real life 'at the sharp end'.

BSE (Britain Stronger in Europe) is 'The In Campaign Ltd'. This is also of interest because of the data protection notice beside the cut out section on the back page:

"The data you provide will be retained by the Britain Stronger in Europe Campaign (The In Campaign Ltd - "The Data Holders") in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 and related legislation. By providing your data to us, you are consenting to the data holders making contact with you in the future by telephone, text, email or other means, even though you may be registered with the Telephone Preference Service. Your data will not be sold or given to anyone not connected to the Britain Stronger in Europe Campaign."

This statement should give pause for thought. Those connected to the Britain Stronger in Europe campaign could feasibly include donors and the Conservative Party - is that where you want your data to go?

BSE is therefore subject to Data Subject Access Requests and should have a nominated Data Controller. I will be enquiring of them who this is.

Leaving the European Union is not a Westminster Centric question and nor should the debate be reserved to the political chattering class which has so badly let us down over 43 years. These people cannot and must not be allowed to be the only 'talking head' in the referendum. 

The Leave Campaign is a grass roots campaign given life by the bloggers like Richard North and Boiling Frog who have been relentless and courageous in pointing out the issues with the European Union.

Do not take advice from Britain Stronger in Europe. Do not give them your data. The fact is that the United Kingdom can thrive outside the European Union. There are positives in leaving - like having an Independent voice at the Top Table.

Vote to Leave the European Union.