A Nottinghamshire MP is using a crowdfunding page to boost his re-election campaign ahead of the expected general election next year. Brendan Clarke-Smith, who has served as the Conservative MP for Bassetlaw since 2019, will be standing in the seat again at the next election.
His Labour Party opponent will be Councillor Jo White, the current deputy leader of Bassetlaw District Council and wife of former Bassetlaw MP, Lord John Mann. Ahead of the contest, a page on the 'Crowdfunder' website has now been set up as part of Mr Clarke-Smith's re-election campaign.
Sharing a link to the page on Friday (June 30), Mr Clarke-Smith said: "Do you care about freedom, democracy and British values? If so then help us fight for them by donating to my campaign?"
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But after the page was launched, many people soon began donating just £1 so they could post derogatory comments on it. One person donating wrote: "The £1 is to show my disgust towards what you represent."
Other previous comments labelled Mr Clarke-Smith an "appalling MP", but all of the derogatory comments are now being removed. The Crowdfunder page says: "You can only post a comment if you have backed this project."
The introduction to the funding page reads: "Since being elected Brendan's voted to Get Brexit Done, secured £17.6m for Bassetlaw Hospital, secured £3.5m for a new Skills Hub, secured £1m Safer Streets funding, secured £18m Levelling Up funding, secured the multi-billion pound STEP fusion project at West Burton and much much more....
"Brendan was labelled by GB News as the "King of the Red Wall". Donate today to help Brendan get re-elected and continuing to deliver for Bassetlaw."
Some positive comments have also been left on the fundraising page, with one writing: "Brendan is a great Member of Parliament who has been a great champion for our community." The launch of the fundraising campaign comes after Mr Clarke-Smith was named in a report accusing him and seven other MPs of "interfering" with the parliamentary inquiry into 'Partygate'.
The MP said he was "disappointed" to have been included on the list, saying the report raised concerns around freedom of speech. At the time of writing, the page has raised £120, with a target of £5,000 by August 11.
