Celebs are throwing serious shade at the Tory manifesto, and now Danny DeVito’s piled in [TWEETS]

The Conservative manifesto was released on 17 May, outlining what the party promises for the future of Britain. Among an increased tax burden for low and middle earners and assaults on social care and education, it also holds the key to a ‘strong’ Brexit. Otherwise known as an attack on migrants.

Hundreds of thousands have taken to social media to share their thoughts on these pledges — not least those in the ‘celebrity world’.

Jamie Oliver

Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver spoke out against May’s plans to cut school lunches. The provision of free school meals has long provided critical support to children from impoverished homes. Labour pledges universal free school meals for all children. But, Theresa May wants to cut them. In their place, she’s offering a free school breakfast. While Conservatives say the policy will be an improvement, they also argue it will save £650m a year. So, another cut to add to their wider budget cuts of 3% on thousands of schools:

Lunches for ALL kids replaced by breakfasts for some? Nailed it. #ToryManifesto
https://t.co/JLmDk1qozt pic.twitter.com/K3NsrsLOhp

— Jamie Oliver (@jamieoliver) May 18, 2017

Neville Southall

Ex-Everton goal keeper Neville Southall spoke out against pretty much everything the Tories were offering:

Every one must vote
No NHS
No jobs
No Education
No Social service
That's the risk
Vote Labour
Save our future
Save our country

— Neville Southall (@NevilleSouthall) May 18, 2017

As did Mock the Week comedian Chris Addison:

What a positiion the Tories are in. They could have given their manifesto its true name, Cunty Things We're Going To Do, and still win.

— @mrchrisaddison@dizl.de (@mrchrisaddison) May 18, 2017

Harry Leslie Smith

RAF veteran Harry Leslie Smith spoke out against the Tories’ attack on the elderly. Among other cuts to social care, May announced plans to make older people pay for their own care. Under the proposals, those who need care will be charged after they die if their estate is worth over £100,000. And that valuation will now include the person’s home as well as any savings. The new plans have been branded a “dementia tax” because they are likely to impact dementia patients and their families the hardest:

As a 94 year old pensioner on limited means I can tell you that the #torymanifesto will bring poverty & hardship to senior citizens.

— John Smith (son of Harry Leslie Smith) (@Harryslaststand) May 18, 2017

Singer Alison Moyet also spoke out about the “dementia tax”:

Lost my mum to Alzheimer's.It's a long,arduous,painful,time consuming stretch of misery. Tories get old & diseased too. Careful what you cut

— Alison Moyet (@AlisonMoyet) May 19, 2017

Anneka Svenska

Wildlife TV presenter Anneka Svenska attacked the Tories for removing the UK ivory trade ban. Unlike the 2015 Tory manifesto, the 2017 version does not include a commitment to press for a total ban on ivory sales. This would allow antiques carved from ivory before 1947 to remain on sale and fuels fears that illegal poaching of the endangered African elephant will continue. The Tories have also pledged a vote to bring back fox hunting. So much so for an ‘equal and fair’ society:

Conservatives remove UK ivory trade ban from their manifesto. Profits antiques trade matter more than saving Africa's elephants disgraceful! pic.twitter.com/yyRdpb8Gst

— Anneka Svenska (@AnnekaSvenska) May 18, 2017

Stan Collymore

Former English footballer Stan Collymore blasted the lie that the Tories have reduced the deficit:

The current national debt for those who believe that Tories are the frugal party. pic.twitter.com/oyvzhrC4Lg

— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) May 16, 2017

Danny DeVito

And finally actor Danny DeVito. While all the way over in the US, DeVito still had time to stick it to the Tories and declare his support for Labour. He even jumped onto the #grime4corbyn campaign – set up by rapper JME to encourage young people to vote in the upcoming election:

U.K. You've got the guy. Register by May 22nd. Vote for Jeremy Corbyn…show us how it's done!#grime4corbyn

— Danny DeVito (@DannyDeVito) May 19, 2017

The election in the UK is big news, even across the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. So don’t let your voice go unheard. Remember to register to vote by 22 May.

Get Involved!

– Register to vote in the 8 June general election.

– Discuss the key policy issues with family members, colleagues and neighbours. And organise! Join (and participate in the activities of) a union, an activist group, and/or a political party.

– Also read more Canary articles on the 2017 general election.

– Read and support independent media outlets that hold the powerful to account:

The Canary, Media Diversified, Novara Media, Corporate Watch, Red Pepper, New Internationalist, Common Space, Media Lens, Bella Caledonia, Vox Political, Evolve Politics, Real Media, Reel News, STRIKE! magazine, The Bristol Cable, The Meteor, Salford Star, The Ferret.

Featured image via Flickr/CreativeCommons