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Theresa May has been ruthlessly mocked for unveiling plans to repeat the 1950s Festival of Britain to mark the start of Brexit.

Usually the opening day of the Conservative Party Conference is a time to make a big promise to the nation about the issues that matter.

But instead, while 4million children live in poverty, Mrs May trumped plans for a £120million festival "echoing" the days of Queen Victoria.

The new festival will have an Olympic-style "delivery body" and be held in early 2022, months after Brexit begins in earnest, and optimistic Tory chiefs claim it would generate "billions" of pounds for the economy.

It follows on from the famous 1951 Festival of Britain, which was itself held to mark 100 years since the Great Exhibition.

Mrs May boasted: "Almost 70 years ago the Festival of Britain stood as a symbol of change. Britain once again stands on the cusp of a new future as an outward facing global trading nation.

(Image: Hulton Archive) (Image: Hulton Archive) (Image: Hulton Archive)

“And, just as millions of Britons celebrated their nation’s great achievements in 1951, we want to showcase what makes our country great today."

But responses to her idea online were a little less enthusiastic.

Twitter users immediately posted images of The Wicker Man, Medieval Monty Python monks hitting themselves in the face, dancing naked people, crashed airlines, and fire.

Labour MP David Lammy said: "The Labour government's 1951 Festival of Britain marked a new era of growth and international cooperation. The opposite of where this Tory government is taking us."

Despite it not being a music festival, Mogwai guitarist Stuart Braithwaite made clear to the world: "Mogwai will not be playing at The Festival of Brexit".

And in a reference to food stockpiling, author Emma Kennedy tweeted: "I do hope they manage to hoard enough “adequate food” for the Festival of Brexit Britain.

Other Twitter users had their own ideas for the festival.

Steve Bullock suggested it could include "deport-a-foreigner tombola", "pin the blame on a remainer" and a "raffle with prizes including a months supply of insulin, basic food, or an exit visa".

Plus, of course, Morris dancing.

Comedian Paul Litchfield suggested a "6am UK Wide Hi-De-Hi Siren", ."6.30am Burning of Croissants on the streets" and "1pm: Roast Beef ‘n’ Limbo dinner & dance."

And in a mockery of Britain's negotiating tactic, writer Marcus Chown tweeted: "Apparently, when you go to the Festival of Brexit Britain, you'll be able to refuse to pay the entrance fee and demand unlimited access to all the attractions."

The irony is that Theresa May did also announce a different, serious policy today - but inevitably it's been overshadowed in the public eye.

She revealed plans to slap an extra tax on foreign buyers of UK homes and pour the proceeds into the government's rough sleeping strategy.

(Image: Christopher Furlong)

A consultation will be launched on putting an extra rate of stamp duty on those who buy a home in the UK but do not pay tax here.

Tory chiefs said a higher 13% charge was already added to second and buy-to-let homes worth between £925,000 and £1.5million. The new rate has not yet been set.

Jon Trickett, Labour's Shadow Minister for Cabinet office, said: “With homelessness having skyrocketed, our NHS in crisis and councils at breaking point, it’s clear that austerity has failed people across Britain.

“The Tories clearly have no real vision for the country."

Remain-backing Labour peer Andrew Adonis said: "This ‘festival of Great Britain & Northern Ireland’ for 3 years time is latest appeasement of DUP & Arlene Foster by Mrs May.

"Whether or not you think it was the ‘best worst’ option in 1922, celebrating the centenary of partition of Ireland & what followed in Ulster is repulsive".