Fury as Essex village Jaywick Sands used in pro-Donald Trump ad to warn US voters of recession if they don’t vote Republican
A US politician has sparked outrage after using a picture of an Essex village to scare voters into backing Donald Trump.
Republican Dr Nick Stella used a picture of a road in Jaywick Sands, near Clacton, Essex, to warn voters against supporting Democrats.
The image shows the seaside spot looking rundown with unpaved roads with the caption: "Only you can stop this from becoming a reality."
It adds: "Help President Trump keep America on track and thriving.
"We can’t go back to foreclosures, unemployment and economic recession!"
But the picture has received provoked fury from locals, who have labelled it "appalling".
Local councillor Paul Honeywood said: "I know that many Jaywick Sands residents will be outraged at being smeared in this way and rightly so."
Residnet Penelope Read added: "Jaywick is starting to really go forward and it makes me really cross when it gets this bad publicity."
It was posted to Dr Stella's Facebook but has since been taken down.
Jaywick Sands was the most deprived neighbourhood in England in 2010 and 2015 but since then Essex County Council has completed a £6.5m programme to improve the roads and drainage.
The campaign director for Dr Stella said there was no intention to ‘smear’ Jaywick Sands.
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Raquel Mitchell said: "We have learned, and it is great to know, the town pictured has recovered from economic hardship.
"Let it serve as an an example of how government responding to the needs of the people can overcome hardship. May those days remain well behind us.
"I'm sure Jaywick Sands is charming. Perhaps a future visit would be a great way to exchange ideas between the two areas."
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