Easter eggs are being sold too early, complains former Tory party chair

Easter eggs are being sold in supermarkets too early, a senior Tory MP has complained, after seeing the confectionery on shop shelves three months before Easter Sunday.

Sir Jake Berry, the former Conservative Party chairman, expressed incredulity online after seeing chocolate eggs in Tesco, asking followers whether they believed Easter “is coming to our supermarkets and shops too early”.

The MP for Rossendale and Darwen in Lancashire wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: “Just been to Tesco in Haslingden with my kids and there’s already Easter eggs in stock! What is going on!!”

In a video he shared from the supermarket car park, he said: “Now I don’t want to be a complete and utter killjoy but I’ve just run the gauntlet here in Tesco’s in Haslingden with my kids past all the discounted toys only to see that the Easter Bunny is already on the shelf.”

Some supermarket customers have also expressed shock online after noticing that chocolate eggs were already on sale almost three months before Easter Sunday, which falls on March 31 this year.

In a video now viewed more than 2m times, Sir Jake Berry asked his followers whether they believed Easter ‘is coming to our supermarkets too early’ – GEOFF PUGH FOR THE TELEGRAPH/GEOFF PUGH

However, many pointed out that shops had been selling chocolate eggs from the beginning of the calendar year for decades.

High street chain Poundland weighed in on the debate, telling Sir Jake that the company “always start bringing Easter into stores once Christmas is over”.

The company tweeted: “Customers appreciate being able to spread the cost and we reckon they’ll appreciate that more than ever this year.”

The former Cabinet minister was also mocked for being out of touch with the priorities of the electorate and not understanding the market economy.

Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney said that his comments showed Tory MPs had “given up” on governing in the middle of a cost of living crisis.

Ms Olney, the Lib Dem Treasury spokesman, said: “Never mind the cost of living crisis and lack of GP appointments, apparently it is Easter Eggs in Tesco that the country cares about most. As ever they really have their fingers on the pulse.

“This Conservative party is cracking faster than an Easter egg.”

Alastair Campbell, former aide to Sir Tony Blair, joked: “What would we do without great thinkers in politics prepared to speak out on the big issues facing the country?

“PS have you decided the market economy isn’t the thing after all?”

Daniel Finkelstein, a Conservative peer, told the Tory MP that the “centre right view” on when the confectionery should be stocked is that availability “should be primarily determined by what people wish to buy & what shops judge the most profitable use of shelf space.

“Rather than whether MPs think it’s the right time of year,” he added.

Sir Jake’s video had been viewed more than two million times, with hundreds including comedian Chris Addison responding to him on social media.

The Thick of It actor said: “Oh, thank God. You’re just the champion I’ve been waiting for. Waitrose Online are selling Hanukkah candles. Can you start a campaign? Thanks.”

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