MEMBERS of Facebook groups campaigning over maternity services have turned on its politician founder after she sent them a message backing Conservative policies.They said Maggie Throup – the Tories’ MP hopeful for Solihull – should not be using the groups for political purposes.
Messages left on the two groups included one which said: “I did not join this group so I could be canvassed via my inbox.”
The Silhillian contacted Mrs Throup on Wednesday for a comment but has yet to receive one.
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Ms Throup sent thousands of members the message which said: “As you have shown your support for Solihull Maternity Services, I thought you would be interested to read the following article from David Cameron.”
Mr Cameron’s 355 word letter said moves to take the doctor-led service away from Solihull Hospital was ‘outrageous’ and says ‘Labour have made a complete mess of maternity services’.
He pledged ‘big changes’ under the Tories to make services ‘more flexible and more personal’.
Ms Throup’s message ended by saying: “If you are a Solihull resident, you are probably aware that I am the Conservative Parliamentary Candidate at the forthcoming General Election.
“If you would like to follow my other campaigns over the coming weeks, please log onto www.voice4solihull at regular intervals
“Or you can join my Facebook group ‘Elect Maggie Throup as MP for Solihull for a real voice in Westminster’.”
Ms Throup at a rally opposing the changes with shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley last year
Yet some members slammed the messages.
John Miller said: “This group is no longer about saving Solihull Hospital. Just a mouthpiece for the Tories to spam my inbox with their promises/lies.”
Noj Gould wrote: “Seems this group has become less about actually saving Solihull Hospital and more about garnering voters.”
Joanne Bussey said it is ‘disgusting that the local candidates were using this for their own election purposes’.
At the time of writing the Save Solihull Hospital group has 4,302 members and the Save Solihull's Maternity Services has 2,858 members.
Mrs Throup was selected as the party’s candidate in July 2005, two months after it lost the seat to the Liberal Democrat’s Lorely Burt.
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