Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford is slammed for wearing ‘Never Kissed A Tory’ badge to advertise Pride event on official government Instagram
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has been slammed after posing in a ‘Never Kissed a Tory’ badge in an official photograph to mark Pride.
A picture on the Welsh government’s official Instagram account on Tuesday shows him with the ‘divisive’ badge pinned to his shirt next to a rainbow tie.
Critics have urged him to apologise over the ‘wholly offensive’ gesture and accused him of belittling LGBT Conservative supporters.
The picture appeared next to a caption saying: ‘Who else is looking forward to Pride Cymru this Saturday?!’
Tory Shadow Minister for Equalities Altaf Hussain said: ‘I am deeply disappointed that the First Minister deemed it appropriate to politicise Pride Cymru by wearing a wholly offensive badge.
Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford has been criticised for wearing a badge saying ‘never kissed a Tory’
‘Pride reminds people of how far we have come in ensuring people can be who they are. Pride events should aim to empower the LGBTQ + community, not seek to shame certain members.
‘I sincerely hope the First Minister apologises for the offence he has caused.’
Another Welsh Conservative said: ‘Such a slogan is undoubtedly divisive. Many people may not be aware that the LGBT community is well represented in Tory ranks. Some prefer to keep it private.’
Last year, Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell wore a red t-shirt with the slogan ahead of Manchester Pride.
Chris Clarkson, Heywood and Middleton’s Conservative MP, called the gesture: ‘Puerile, divisive and completely against the spirit of inclusion that Pride is supposed to embody. Grow up.’
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer later revealed that he had, in fact, kissed a Tory.
Asked by Times Radio whether he was ‘tribal’ and might wear a ‘never kissed a Tory’ badge, he responded: ‘Well I’m afraid I’ve broken that rule.’
Pride Cymru has been taking place in Cardiff for more than 20 years
He continued: ‘I’m not tribal – I think this actually comes from coming into politics later in life.
‘Outside of politics, most of the time, most people at home or at work see a problem, get people around and try to fix it and bring people together, bridge people together and do it. That’s what I bring to politics. Therefore, I’ve worked across parties.
‘I’m on very good terms with many, many Tory MPs. I’m not ashamed about it and I’ve got very good friends who are Tories and they’ve been very, very good friends of mine for a very, very long time and long may that last.’
Pride Cymru has been taking place in Cardiff for more than 20 years.
A statement on the organisation’s website says: ‘Pride Cymru is a volunteer-led charity that works to promote the elimination of discrimination be it on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or ability.
‘We are committed to campaigning for equality and acceptance of diversity within our communities. We recognise and celebrate the contributions made by LGBT+ people in society and we continue our work to create opportunities for LGBT+ people around Wales to connect and support each other.
‘Pride Cymru is committed to promoting and raising awareness of the issues affecting the LGBT+ community as we want our society to be free from hate crime, discrimination and prejudice.’
A spokesman for the Welsh Government said: ‘We won’t be providing a comment.’
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