Dear John,

Is it legal?

Government's £100m ad campaign

Boris Johnson's government is spending £100 million of taxpayer's money on a huge advertising campaign aiming to convince us their disastrous No Deal plans will be good for us.

As Chair of Best for Britain I have written to the Cabinet Secretary, the UK's most senior Civil Servant, Sir Mark Sedwill, asking him to consider whether this government funded campaign meets legal and advertising standards.

It is important for all of us to hold the government to account. This government is so scared of scrutiny the Prime Minister has ordered the House of Commons to be shut down. Best for Britain opposes the shut down and we are working with MPs from all parties to carry on holding a People's Parliament at an alternative location.

In my letter I asked the Cabinet Secretary whether it is right for the government to claim that the UK is 'prepared for no deal Brexit' when independent analyses suggest the opposite.

I also asked whether this advertising campaign strays into party political campaigning - an especially important question as we may well already be in the run up to a general election. It would be entirely wrong for a political party in government to use taxpayer's funds to campaign for their own re-election.

I hope you will support Best for Britain's efforts to create an alternative People's Parliament. Help us hold the government to account. Help us keep our elected representatives working for us.

Governments must submit to the rule of law, just like everyone else. Britain has always been proud of its democracy. For this government to subject it to indignity after indignity in pursuit of a disastrous Brexit is shameful.

Thank you for your support, and thank you for donating to make the People's Parliament a reality.

Best wishes,

Mark Malloch Brown
Chair, Best for Britain

PS. While I find out whether the government has broken the law, or used taxpayer's money to fund a huge political advertising campaign, I hope you will add your contribution to our crowdfunder. Help fund the People's Parliament.