The Conservative Party is facing ridicule after it responded to Jeremy Corbyn’s landslide Labour leadership victory by warning that he is a “threat to national security”.
Mr Corbyn gained 59.5 per cent of votes in the election, leaving his rivals Andy Burnham, Yvette Cooper and Liz Kendall in the dust with 19 per, 17 per cent and 4.5 per cent respectively.
As part of what appeared to be a co-ordinated response to the left-winger’s win, David Cameron lead his party in warning the public of the apparent risk that Mr Corbyn posed to the nation.
The Labour Party is now a threat to our national security, our economic security and your family's security.
— David Cameron (@David_Cameron) September 13, 2015
His comments were mirrored by other Conservative MP on Twitter, as well as defence secretary Michael Fallon and justice secretary Michael Gove in separate interviews with the BBC.
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Corbyn has brought Labour back to life
Labour are now a serious risk to our national security. Please RT to let everyone know. pic.twitter.com/pH3c2S7RYa
— Conservatives (@Conservatives) September 12, 2015
Labour has taken leave of its senses putting our economy, national security and future of ordinary working folk in peril.
— Anna Soubry MP (@Anna_Soubry) September 12, 2015
This is a serious moment for our country: the main opposition party would destroy our economy and threatens the security our nation.
— Ben Gummer (@ben4ipswich) September 12, 2015
Corbyn's election a key moment in British politics. He poses a far greater risk to our security than any other Labour leader in my lifetime
— Gavin Barwell MP (@GavinBarwellMP) September 12, 2015
The apparent concerted effort to link Mr Corbyn to a security threat in the public psyche did not go unnoticed, with Twitter users including comedians Stephen Mangan and Vikki Stone criticising the Prime Minister, while economist Danny Blanchflower criticised the Government's own policies.
@David_Cameron how about a tweet to congratulate Corbyn and Watson and wishing them all the best rather than scaremongering Brian, Exeter
— Brian Pilton (@BrianPilton) September 13, 2015
Dear @David_Cameron, I'm frightened. Do you think I'll be safe from the Labour Party in here? pic.twitter.com/GRui5UnxmX
— Vikki Stone (@vikkistone) September 13, 2015
pretty rich for @david_cameron to claim Corbyn threatens economic security as Tory austerity responsible for its biggest collapse in 300yrs
— Danny Blanchflower (@D_Blanchflower) September 13, 2015
@David_Cameron wow, your tweets are even worse then your actions
— TODDLA T (@TODDLAT) September 13, 2015
Please count how many times you hear 'Corbyn is a threat to our national security and our economy' in the next week #ToryDictatorRhetoric
— Dean Leak (@djlpsych) September 13, 2015
Labour is a threat to national security. The Bogeyman is real. And if you masturbate too much you'll go blind. #ScaremongeringToChildren
— Emma Frost (@EmmaFrostLondon) September 13, 2015
So tempted to get 'Threat to National Security' printed on a red t-shirt...
— Anna H. (@drlangtry_girl) September 13, 2015
@David_Cameron you ok hun?
— Fin (@finmilligan) September 13, 2015
@David_Cameron pic.twitter.com/fQYpWi9fMf
— Stewart McDonald MP (@StewartMcDonald) September 13, 2015
.@David_Cameron pic.twitter.com/K1TNiUgPAg
— Amble Skuse (@ambleskramble) September 13, 2015
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The messages come after senior Tory figures previously raised concerns about “security” with Mr Corbyn at Labour’s helm, with Mr Cameron using the words six times in an article in The Times in August, and eight times by Chancellor George Osborne in The Sun, according to The Guardian.
