Beard Liberation Front
2nd February
Media Release. Contact Keith Flett 07803 167266
Campaigners concerned ‘dressing smartly’ Labour strategy means a ‘beard ban’
The Beard Liberation Front, the informal network of beard wearers, has expressed concerns that a Labour strategy document leaked to the Guardian, could mean a return to the days of peak New Labour when beards were frowned upon if not banned altogether as the public face of the Party.
The report says that Labour should be about, amongst other things, ‘dressing smartly’.
The Beard Liberation Front has long had a policy that people in public facing roles should dress in a presentable manner but that does not mean they need be clean shaven.
The campaigners fear that clean shaven leader Keir Starmer wants to take the Party back to the peak days of New Labour image wise.
In the London Mayor Election of 2000 veteran beard wearer, the late Frank Dobson, stood as Labour candidate. Labour strategists actively canvassed photoshopped pictures of a clean shaven Dobson with voters to see if it would win votes. Ultimately Dobson kept the beard and lost the Election.
BLF Organiser Keith Flett said, we are concerned. Some argued that the Frank Dobson beard story was fake, put about by spin doctors. However we were able later to check with Labour insiders who confirmed that it was entirely true. 2021 is not the time for a return to clean shaven suited Labour.
The Beard Liberation Front has expressed its concerns directly to Keir Starmer.
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