Tory's braced for storm over Oxfam backlash

CONSERVATIVE condemnation of Oxfam's latest advertising campaign has shown how out of touch the party is according to commentators.

The charity is currently facing investigation following a complaint by Tory backbench MP Conor Burns over the advert which depicts a 'perfect storm' of zero hour contracts, high prices, benefits cuts, unemployment and childcare costs causing poverty in Britain.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph Mr Burns said: "Many people who support Oxfam will be shocked and saddened by this highly political campaigning in domestic British politics.

"Most of us operated under the illusion that Oxfam's focus was on the relief of poverty and famine overseas. I cannot see how using funds donated to charity to campaign politically can be in accord with Oxfam's charitable status.

"For that reason I have asked the Chairman of the Charity Commission to investigate Oxfam as a matter of urgency."

Oxfam Campaigns and Policy Director Ben Phillips defended the advert, saying:  "Oxfam is a resolutely non-party political organisation, we have a duty to draw attention to the hardship suffered by poor people we work with in the UK.  

"Fighting poverty should not be a party political issue, successive governments have presided over a tide of rising inequality and created a situation where food banks and other providers provided 20 million meals last year to people who could not afford to feed themselves. This is an unacceptable situation in one of the world's largest economies and politicians of all stripes have a responsibility to tackle it."

The furore comes in the same week as the release of a joint report from Oxfam, Church Action on Poverty and the Trussell Trust revealed a startling rise in demand for food charity in the UK, with more than 20million meals provided in 2013, a 54% increase on the previous year.

The claims have been further supported by research conducted by Save The Children, which warns that if the current situation is not tackled by 2020 approximately 5 million children, one third of children, in Britain will "be sentenced to a lifetime of poverty".

Since the news broke social media has been ablaze with criticism for the complaint as users warn that the government is dangerously out of touch with the needs of the poorer elements of society.

 "@suemitton1: @Ed_Miliband MPs very unhappy with Oxfam poster 'The Perfect Storm' they say the truth hurts! Well done Oxfam! "

"@jasongorman: This is why the gov't was so keen to gag charities in their lobbying bill "

"@lizzjones18: Actually condemning Oxfam for telling the truth about Austerity Britain the perfect storm ! SHAMEFUL say Gov.."

"@Helen121: Tories attack Oxfam Perfect Storm poster as 'shameful' for exposing results their policies. You couldn't make it up."

With less than a year to go until the General Election the government may have found that by complaining it has drawn unwanted focus to the growing problem of poverty and inequality in the UK.