Tory election candidate James Cracknell calls his personal occasion a ‘bathe of s***’
An ex-Olympian standing for the Conservatives at the General Election has described the party as a “shower of s**t”.
James Cracknell’s unflattering description of his own party in a campaign video comes as Rishi Sunak braces for a historic defeat at the polls next week. The former Olympic rower is standing in Colchester which the Tories won with a majority of over 9,000 at the 2019 General Election.
But in a campaign video posted on Facebook the gold medallist said: “Two weeks out from the Olympics. If we were competing against the Conservative party my teammates and I would be saying they are a shower of s**t.
“And if one of my teammates got caught for cheating they’d be dead to me. That abuse of trust is unforgivable. So why am I still canvassing and delivering leaflets? Because I believe the Conservative way is the best for the country.”
He later said if he is elected next week he will not be afraid to “drive the Conservative Party – the right party – back to where it should be”. Responding to his video, a Labour source said: “It seems Rishi Sunak is up sh*t creek without a paddle. Not even his candidates are rowing in behind him.”
The Colchester Labour group added: “James Cracknell, the Olympic rower and Tory candidate in Colchester admits what the rest of us already know about the Conservatives. A vote for Labour is a vote for change.”
The video – posted on 22 June – follows reports over the weekend that Mr Sunak pulled out a campaigning rally with Mr Cracknell to shore up support in his own seat. It also comes amid the deepening crisis in the Tory party over the General Election date betting scandal. Speaking on Monday Mr Sunak said he was “not aware” of the Gambling Commission investigating any further party candidates.
It emerged over the weekend a fifth person linked to the Prime Minister – the party’s chief data officer Nick Mason – was told he’s part of an investigation by the Gambling Commission.
He has taken a leave of absence from Tory HQ amid allegations over alleged wagers on the election date. A spokesman for Mr Mason denied wrongdoing to The Sunday Times. Four other people – the party’s campaign chief, two candidates and a police protection officer – are also being looked into.
