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The Bath Conservative party has come under fire after a message was published on social media saying parents who can’t feed their children on £10 a week “don’t know how to feed their children well”.

The now-deleted tweet was sent from the Bath Conservative party Twitter account at 6.55pm on February 17.

It reads: “The reality may be indolent for disfunctional parents or more likely parents who simply don’t know how to feed their children well.

“If absolutely-not-a-Tory Jack Monroe could feed herself & her child for £10 a week - not easily, but adequately - most people can"

The message was sent to Green MP candidate Dom Tristram in response to a tweet about free school meals, where Bath Conservatives tweeted: “Relieving parents of prime responsibility for their children's health & well-being opens a huge can of worms...”

The suggestion that parents should be able to feed their children on £10 a week refers to Jack Monroe, a best-selling author who has written a series of cookbooks for people on tight budgets and campaigns to end poverty.

Jack, who has a young son, quickly responded to the Twitter frenzy by saying “I am not their poster girl”.

Speaking to the Chronicle, the 29-year-old said: “My first response was no, just no.

“In 2011 I was working in a 999 control room and I had just had a young child and I couldn’t work the shift system, in the end, I resigned.

“I ended up living in poverty for two years, the recession had hit and I was applying for jobs but getting nowhere.

“The benefit agencies deemed I made myself unemployed and I was in rent arrears because of it.

“I ended up living on £10 a week with me and my young son and I ended up writing about it on my blog because I wanted to help other people.

“That came from a painful experience so to see Bath Conservatives using me as a role model was shocking.

“The point is nobody should have to do that. It made me angry because I was in the position I was in because of the Conservative policy.

“I’m not their poster girl.

“When I saw it I was raging with fury but it’s infuriating that it’s from a faceless account.”

A spokesperson for Bath Conservatives apologised in another Tweet, saying: “Yesterday an ill-judged comment was made on our Twitter account re the challenge of food poverty.

“The content didn't accurately reflect our views or approach & we apologise for any offence caused.

“We continue to seek ways to reduce the blight of child poverty in our city.”

But screenshots of the deleted tweet have continued to circulate on social media and Jack challenged the person behind the tweet.

On their blog, Jack wrote: "I am offering the social media person from Bath Conservatives an opportunity to quite literally put their money where their mouth is.

"Identify yourself, and live on just £10 a week for 3 weeks running. I’ll help you write recipes. You’ll eat a lot of beans and rice.

“You shouldn’t have to cheat, as you believe it is ‘adequate’. Do it, with no money for drinks, nights out, socialising, no friends to cook you meals, nothing but the £10 you think is so easy to live on.

“After all, in your own words, ‘anyone can do it.’”

Michelle O’Doherty responded to the twitter thread saying: “I was one of those parents who couldn't afford to feed their children, not long ago.

“I am neither indolent nor dysfunctional.

“I've worked at least 2 jobs at a time my whole adult life. I find their attitude towards people like me disgusting”

Another Twitter user said: “How horrific they would use your hardship to promote its merits then give themselves a huge pat on the back, they've weaponised hunger & they're unashamed & gleeful.”

Others praised Jack for their hard work and dedication.

Tracy Houghton said: “Love the bloody arrogance of @BathCA assuming that "most people" could do what you did, too, Jack. You've built a career on that amazing talent, ffs.

“No, "most people" could not do it.”

Jane Riekemann, a member of Bath for Europe, also shared the message on her own account.

She told the Chronicle: “Disappointing to hear Bath Conservatives once again trying to shift the blame from their austerity policies onto thepoor.

“Thought the Tories were trying to move away from their image as the nasty party.

“Clearly not.”

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