Guido has seen some terrible party fundraising emails in his time, but this one takes the biscuit. Most people on these mass marketing lists probably won’t open this email – purporting to be from Labour’s General Secretary – but it is highly likely that they will read the subject line. Rule one: never, ever repeat the charge. 

From: Iain McNicol 
Date: 17 July 2014 10:19:10 BST
Subject: FW: CONFIRMED: Labour want to raise your taxes

Guido —

I don’t usually forward emails from Grant Shapps but this has made me so incredibly angry that I had to share it with you. It’s simply packed full of lies.

Have a read of it. If it makes you as angry as it made me, here’s something you can do — donate to our campaign fund so we can fight back.

As the election approaches, we face a choice: either we let our politics descend into smears and lies, or we give voters the fair, honest campaigns our country and our democracy deserve. The Tories have made it clear which side they are on.​

Best,
Iain

Iain McNicol
General Secretary of the Labour Party

While dismissing a “Grant Shapps” email about the Harman tax row – sent yesterday to Tory members – as a pack of lies, Labour’s response offers absolutely no rebuttal and instead forwards the charges to tens of thousands of potentially wavering voters.

Axelrod wouldn’t put up with this shi..