Storm Technologies boss told staff to vote Tory
John Brooker insists he did not threaten staff with the sack if they voted Labour, dismissing email sent on election day as 'internal banter'
The managing director of reseller Storm Technologies has defended a "tongue-in-cheek" email he sent to staff on 8 June advising them to vote for the Conservatives.
The missive, which also warned staff that "Labour voters will be made redundant first if Labour do win and things slow down" was picked up by the GMB after being leaked to the union.
In the email, which has now been picked up by national press including the Guardian, The Independent and The Mirror, Storm managing director John Brooker argued that Jeremy Corbyn would be a "nightmare" if he got in. It can be read in full at the bottom of this article, courtesy of the GMB.
Brooker's email drew the GMB's ire for appearing to threaten staff with the sack if they did not back his favoured party.
Warren Kenny, GMB London region secretary, said: "It is unacceptable and morally and ethically wrong for a company director to tell his staff that 'Labour voters will be made redundant first if Labour do win'."
"A boss should not be harassing employees or interfering with their right to vote for who they wish - it's Dickensian, workhouse nonsense."
CRN attempted to contact Brooker and Storm this evening for comment, and will update this story if and when we receive a response. The Watford-based firm is one of the UK's fastest-growing resellers, placing 42nd in CRN Top VARs 2016 with sales of £72.3m.
In his defence, Brooker does sign off the email making it clear that staff should "feel free to vote for whoever you want".
Commenting in the national press, Brooker described the email as a "tongue-in-cheek" note meant in jest. No threat was levelled at staff, he insisted.
"This was nothing more than 'internal banter' now completely taken out of context. Obviously in hindsight I regret any offence this has caused and have reiterated to all my staff the respect I have for their political views and opinions," he said.
Full content of email to staff:
"Hi Everyone, So its [sic] election day and I hope you all exercise your right to elect your chosen candidate/party.
Just a heads up though, VOTE CONSERVATIVE if you believe in free enterprise and progression without being taxed out of the game.
Theresa May is not the perfect PM but a far better option for dealing with the challenges this country faces ahead than Corbyn.
Brexit negotations [sic] start in less than two weeks which will affect us all, Security and the ECONOMY needs a strong hand and Corbyn will be a nightmare.
He resents those making good money, wants to hike corporation tax up by 7% immediately, hike higher-rate tax payers by another 5%, bring far more people into the 40% tax bracket (and there are a lot of you here at Storm), borrow billions which at some point has to be paid back and will generally send us backwards.
If by any chance Labour win, we'll have to re-think a few things here at the company so if you value your job and want to hold onto your hard-earned money vote Conservative.
Labour voters will be made redundant first if Labour do win and things slow down……….
Anyway, just sharing my personal thoughts with you.
Feel free to vote for whoever you want but I have said my piece.
JB"