Conservative-run anti-Ulez Facebook groups hosted racist and Islamophobic posts

9 comments

1. “The network of Facebook groups analysed by Unearthed was built in the run-up to last year’s Ulez expansion. More than two-thirds of them – 28 – were set up within two days of each other in January 2023, each with a similar name, and aimed at residents of a different London borough. There was a second flurry of activity in March, when a further seven groups were set up in a single day, mostly targeting commuter belt counties like Kent, Essex and Surrey.

   The groups’ names – which all follow the format “Bromley say no to Ulez expansion” or “Kent say no to Ulez expansion” – suggest grassroots organising, and do not give any indication that they are Conservative-run.

   However, three people linked to the Conservative party are admins on all or most of the groups.

   Rachel Cromie, an admin on all 36 groups, is a Tory councillor from Haywards Heath, in Sussex, and her current register of interests lists the Conservative Party as her employer. According to an earlier register of interests found by Unearthed, in 2019 she was head of operations for Kanto Systems, a political consultancy linked to Thomas Borwick. Borwick was formerly a consultant at Cambridge Analytica, which became the focus of a major scandal over its use of Facebook user data for targeted ads and political influencing”

   Guardian coverage https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/27/tory-staff-running-network-of-anti-ulez-facebook-groups-riddled-with-racism-and-abuse

2. Can someone please explain to this non London resident what on Earth ULEZ is?

   Then please, if you could, explain how it could ever be linked to a religion or rather a hatred of one religion.

3. Found out the other day that 19 out of 20 cars do not even qualify for ULEZ and it blew my mind, so much disinformation around this

4. ULEZ is about as stringent as Crit’Air which is to say not at all.

5. In other news:
   – bears shit in woods
   – water wet
   – pope catholic

6. The tory party is a serious threat to democracy. They have:  Significantly weakened institutions made to uphold democracy like ofcom and the electoral commision.  Introduced forms of voter supression such as voter id (disguised as being anti-voter fraud), as well as changing some mayoral elections to fptp. Greatly degraded standards we once held politicians to and as a result decreased public trust in politics. Pushed far right talking points, lies and conspiracies to slander opponents. Openly and systematically attacked minorities and the voulnerable in an attempt to distract people from their own failings. Are currently trying their best to leave the ECHR to further erode our civil liberties human rights. Are currently running many misinformation campaigns across the country ready for the local and soon general elections.

7. Yeah that sounds about right. The same twats putting up anti-ulez stickers are also putting up anti-15 minutes city stickers, covid conspiracy stickers, and stickers whinging about the existence of trans people. It’s totally unsurprising they’d also be bigoted in other ways.

   Edit: typo

8. wow there is some real loonies about for sure, and the Conservatives seem very willing to rile them up.

9. Whaaaaaaaaaaaa?

   You’re telling me an anti ulez group specifically aiming it’s anger at Khan would also bring in other things

   ITS FACEBOOK

   It’s not but people with extreme views and bot accounts