A Conservative Party candidate has sparked controversy after it emerged she violated party rules on campaigning in a foreign language. Despite leader Kemi Badenoch pledging to ban election candidates from targeting voters with non-English messaging, one of her own candidates in a crucial target council was found to have posted multiple social media updates in Arabic.
Candidate's Social Media Posts
Natalia Awasty, who is standing in the Church Street ward of Westminster council, uploaded two videos to Instagram in recent days exclusively in Arabic. In one of the posts, a translation of the video's text read: 'We will achieve positive change, God willing. Vote for the Conservatives on May 7th, God willing.' The caption added: 'We will bring you positive change. Vote Conservative on 7 May.' A second Instagram Reel by Ms Awasty, who also serves as Deputy Chair of the West End Conservative Association, focused on 'healthcare'.
Party Embarrassment
The posts brought embarrassment to the Conservatives' campaign, given the party has repeatedly condemned such practices from other parties. Last month, Ms Badenoch pledged a total ban on the use of foreign language election leaflets on the grounds they are 'divisive'. The new pledge came after the Gorton and Denton by-election, which once again raised tough questions about the unity of Britain's communities. That by-election in Greater Manchester, which saw the Green Party surge to a surprise victory with plumber Hannah Spencer, witnessed leaflets circulating in Urdu calling on Muslim voters to back the left-wing party.
Conservative Criticism of Foreign Language Campaigning
Nick Timothy, the Tory shadow Justice Secretary, has also repeatedly condemned examples of election literature going out in foreign languages, highlighting numerous Bengali examples being circulated in London's East End. Shadow local government minister Paul Holmes warned: 'We are experiencing a worrying rise in sectarian and separatist sentiment in our country, and it is being exacerbated by parties like Labour and the Greens. By singling out particular communities, they are consciously preying on division and excluding the vast majority of the population in a cynical bid for votes. Campaigning in a foreign language as the Greens did in Gorton and Denton only fosters greater division. A coherent national culture relies on shared values, and an inclusive electoral process relies on a common tongue. Any MP of any party who wants to see that achieved should support our amendment.'
Proposed Amendment and Reactions
The Tories will seek to bring the change in as an amendment to the Representation of the People Bill, currently working its way through parliament. A Reform UK spokesman said: 'The Tories say preach one thing and then do the complete opposite. London is the capital of England, and campaigning should be done in English. We look forward to Mr Timothy's comments on this candidate.' A Conservative Party spokesman told the Mail: 'The Conservative Party has been clear that we do not support campaigning in Foreign Languages. We have reminded our candidate of this, and the posts have subsequently been removed.'
