A Labour MP and former cabinet minister has vowed not to return to Florida following a video message posted online by a senator appearing to warn socialists to stay away.
The video by Republican Rick Scott, who was Florida Governor until 2019, has been seen more than 23 million times.
In it, Mr Scott, pictured right, says: “Let me give you a travel warning, if you are a socialist, communist, someone who believes in Big Government, I would think twice, think twice if you are thinking about taking a vacation or moving to Florida.”
He went on to say: “We are the free seat of Florida, we actually don’t believe in socialism…it’s not good, it’s not good for anybody.
“So if you are thinking about it, if you are thinking about coming to Florida and you are socialist or communist, think twice. We like freedom, liberty, capitalism, things like that.”
Responding to the video message, Labour MP for Exeter Ben Bradshaw, pictured left, tweeted: “Don’t worry, once had a lovely holiday in #Florida #Miami but won’t be coming back as long as it’s run by bigots.”
It’s not clear if Senator Scott’s video message was serious or tongue in cheek. In May, he issued a mock travel advisory after the civil rights organisation NAACP advised African Americans ‘and others’ not to travel to Florida, adding ‘beware that your life is not valued, that we have a political landscape that could cause harm as we prepare for the 2024 elections to right-size the political landscape in the state of Florida’.
In his mock response, Senator Scott issued was he called a ‘formal travel advisory to all socialists visiting Florida’, saying: “Florida is openly hostile toward Socialists, Communists, and those that enable them. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by Socialists and others who work in the Biden Administration.
“Travelers should be aware that attempts to spread Socialism in north Florida will fail and be met with laughter and mockery.”
I’m warning socialists and communists not to travel to Florida. They are not welcome in the Sunshine State.pic.twitter.com/ZB4RVz6XdK
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) June 27, 2023
