In a reflection of the confusion, the Electoral
Commission, which regulates campaign
finances, issued a statement warning that
“voters are entitled to transparency and
integrity from campaigners in the lead-up to
an election.’’ Critically, however, it pointed
out that it doesn’t have “a role in regulating
election campaign content.’’
With the absence of law, campaigns have been
pushing the boundaries to get attention.
The Conservative Party was embroiled in
controversy earlier this month when it posted a
video on social media containing a misleading
edit of a television interview with senior Labour
figure Keir Starmer. The video had been altered
to show Starmer failing to answer a question
about Brexit when, in fact, he responded quickly.
The Conservative Party chairman described the
doctored video as lighthearted satire.
The Conservative Party is trying to raise
its online game in this election after being
outperformed by Labour during the last
campaign in 2017, when the opposition party
exceeded expectations and the Tories stumbled.
The Conservatives have hired New Zealanders
Sean Topham and Ben Guerin to oversee digital
strategy and Australian Isaac Levido as overall
campaign director. All three have worked with
Lynton Crosby, an Australian political strategist
who has long ties with the U.K. Conservatives.
The trio have been credited with helping
Australia’s Liberal Prime Minister Scott Morrison
pull off a surprise election victory in May, partly
with high-volume, emotion-tweaking social
media activity.