Labour accused of snobbery after 'blocking McDonalds from party conference'
Wes Streeting says he is 'exasperated' that the party 'would throw away £30,000 worth of sponsorship like this'
Your support helps us to tell the story
As your White House correspondent, I ask the tough questions and seek the answers that matter.
Your support enables me to be in the room, pressing for transparency and accountability. Without your contributions, we wouldn't have the resources to challenge those in power.
Your donation makes it possible for us to keep doing this important work, keeping you informed every step of the way to the November election
Andrew Feinberg
White House Correspondent
The Labour PArty has been branded snobbish by one of its own backbenchers after it was claimed McDonald’s was banned from the party's autumn conference.
The fast-food giant reportedly wanted to pay £30,000 to have a display stand promoting British farm produce at this year’s conference in Liverpool, but was turned down.
It has already been approved to display the "interactive experience" at the Conservative and the SNP conferences this September, the Sun on Sunday reported.
The final decision on exhibitors at the conference is taken by the Labour National Executive Committee (NEC), which the party leader Jeremy Corbyn chairs.
Labour backbencher Wes Streeting, who had a part-time job at McDonald’s as a teenager, said he was “exasperated” that the party “would throw away £30,000 worth of sponsorship like this”.
He said: "It smacks of a snobby attitude towards fast-food restaurants and people who work or eat at them."
He added: "McDonald’s may not be the trendy falafel bar that some people in politics like to hang out at but it's enjoyed by families across the country."
A Labour spokesperson told The Independent: "We do not comment on commercial decisions".
A spokesperson for McDonald's UK told The Independent: "We are very disappointed with the decision Labour has taken".
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments