Government ads for human rights face Tory attack

Marketing 19-Oct-00

The Conservative Party has launched a renewed attack on the government over its advertising strategy following the launch of a campaign to promote controversial new human rights legislation.

The Conservative Party has launched a renewed attack on the government over its advertising strategy following the launch of a campaign to promote controversial new human rights legislation.

Shadow Home Secretary Ann Widdecombe, said the ads, through CDP, were a waste of taxpayers' money on what was 'a highly controversial' piece of legislation.

The European Convention of Human Rights became part of UK law earlier this month, and the government ran full-page ads in several national newspapers to explain how the Act would 'safeguard 16 basic rights', including the right to liberty and freedom of expression.

The ad features a poem written by a schoolboy for a government-run competition, and is accompanied by the strapline: 'The Human Rights Act. Safeguarding Your Rights'.

The Home Office refused to reveal how much it was spending on the push, but said it was important to communicate the introduction of the Act to the British public.

CDP was appointed to handle the business after a three-way pitch with FCA! and Delaney Lund Knox Warren.