Conservative local council candidate dropped after reference to “Aryan race” in tweet to Jewish MP
The Conservative Party has reportedly dropped a local council candidate after she referenced the “Aryan race” in a tweet to her local MP, who is Jewish.
Sharon Thomason was in a Twitter dialogue with Labour’s Charlotte Nichols MP, who commented in a tweet on a story about the Prime Minister and his partner expecting a baby, saying “Keep the Aryan race going…”.
Ms Nichols tweeted: “This far right troll is Sharon Thomason, who Warrington Conservatives have selected as their council candidate for Great Sankey North and Whittle Hall – if you wanted a feel for the calibre of candidates they’re selecting locally.”
There has apparently been no denial that the Twitter handle in question is operated by Ms Thomason.
The Conservatives have since reportedly confirmed that Ms Thomason will no longer represent the Party at the local elections in May, saying: “Warrington Conservatives condemns all forms of racism, including antisemitism, they have no place in our Party. We had already been made aware of the tweet before Ms Nichols published it and took action swiftly and immediately. We can confirm that the candidate in question will not be standing for the party at the local elections and is no longer a member.”
Further concerns have been raised as to why, given this tweet was apparently sent a year ago, Ms Thomason was nonetheless selected as a candidate.
Amanda Milling MP, co-Chair of the Conservative Party, said: “These comments are totally unacceptable. This was brought to my attention last week and the member was suspended. She is no longer a member and will not be standing for the party at the local elections.”
A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: “We complained to the Conservative Party over its slow and opaque investigation into two Conservative MPs last year. The Party now appears to have learned lessons and has rapidly opened investigations into the conduct of councillors and candidates in Warrington and Hertsmere. We look forward to an efficient and transparent investigation.”
Campaign Against Antisemitism advocates for zero tolerance of antisemitism in public life. To that end we monitor all political parties and strive to ensure that any cases of concern are properly addressed.