Theresa May makes Brexit pitch directly to EU citizens in six languages to bypass Brussels
THERESA May is bypassing EU bureaucrats to pitch her Brexit vision directly to Europeans without Brussels “spin”.
Theresa May will use social media to speak directly to EU citizens across the continent
Following her keynote speech in Florence where she laid out plans for a future relationship with the EU, she is now attempting to reach the bloc's 500 million residents.
The speech received a fairly positive review form Donald Tusk with the European Council president saying he was “cautiously optimistic”.
The Prime Minister will bypass Eurocrats to speak directly to people living in the European Union.
Important quotes from Mrs May’s speech will appear on social media platforms Twitter and Facebook after being translated into French, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish and Dutch.
The hundreds of thousands of targeted messages paid for by No. 10 will also contain a link to a translated copy of the full speech.
A senior government source said: “We have not done enough to convince ordinary Europeans that we are making real offers in the negotiations.
EU officlas have claimed parts of Theresa May's speech were 'dictated' by Brussels
Tory MP praises Theresa May's optimistic Brexit vision
We have not done enough to convince ordinary Europeans
“They only have Barnier’s spin on it all, which is badly jaundiced.
“So we are taking the Prime Minister’s message to European citizens directly”.
The strategy mirrors Donald Trump's successful dominance of social media during the US presidential campaign.
President Trump cut out hostile media using his online popularity to win over voters and set the agenda.
Social media users also seized on the more positive tone of posts from Trump and his team during the campaign, researchers found.
A Downing Street spokeswoman told The Sun: “As you’d expect, in our work to secure the best Brexit deal for Britain and build a unique new partnership the EU, we are communicating our plans widely.”
EU residents can only see the UK's offer with Michel Barnier's spin on, claims government cource
In the Florence speech Mrs May agreed to a €20billion (£17.5billion) two-year transition period.
However commitments made in the speech could lead to demands for the Brexit bill to include EU pensions, loan guarantees and development projects putting it at around €40billion (£35billion).