A Manchester company which produces fake local newspapers has defended itself after hosting a stall at the Liberal Democrats’ party conference.
Both the Lib Dems and the Tories have come under recent scrutiny for sending out party propaganda under the guise of local newspapers – including ‘borrowing’ the names of existing newspapers such as the High Peak Reporter in the North West.
Election Workshop, which is registered at Companies House under the name of central Manchester parent Letter Workshop and provides service 18129 – “Printing not elsewhere classified,” hosted a stall at the recent Lib Dem conference in Bournemouth to promote its new Tabloid product.
Letter Workshop describes itself on LinkedIn as “a design and production agency for business, third sector and campaigns. We deliver end-to-end marketing, campaign and consultation solutions to charities, pressure groups, political parties and SMEs. We offer strategic advice, design skills and production facilities to suit each customer.”
Letter Workshop’s website, electionworkshop.co.uk, was down this morning when Prolific North attempted to make contact to ask if it planned to also attend the forthcoming Conservative and Labour Party conferences, however director Charles Glover previously defended the company in a statement to Hold the Front Page, where he spoke of the importance of a “strong local media.”
Glover added: “All our campaigning literature including tabloids makes clear it’s from the Liberal Democrats. Tabloid newspapers are an effective way of communicating with people and have been used by all political parties for years.
“Having a strong local media plays a critical role in holding those in power to account and we will continue working closely with local newspapers across the country.”
The News Media Association, which represents UK news media organisations, seemed less convinced. In a statement issued on Twitter/X it accused fake newspapers of undermining confidence in politicians and the press alike.
