Reform UK campaign tactics under investigation
PLUS: Tory councillor faces criticism over conversion of property to flats
Hello and welcome to Sunday.
Over the coming weeks we’ll be doing what we can to cover the upcoming county council elections. Turnout is predicted to be low but we want to engage as many people as possible.
Local elections at their district or county level don’t have the same level of intrigue as full-blown parliamentary elections. But the truth of that is that it allows the incompetent and dishonest to take advantage of the situation. And unfortunately, there is some of that in local politics.
Elsewhere, we look at the case of a Tory councillor in the north of the county who has been scolded over her the development of property without planning permission.
Reform UK under pressure over campaign tactics
By Ed Walker & Luke Beardsworth
The campaigning tactics of two Reform candidates has been under the spotlight with an investigation into one candidate underway.
In Wyre Rural Central, there were claims that electoral law had been broken with leaflets that appear to have been distributed on behalf of Reform UK candidate Matthew Slater.
Slater’s name and campaign details were printed on leaflets that showed his image alongside the No To Pressall Quarry campaign. The Reform UK logo is absent from the material.
He asserted that the leaflets were not distributed by him but by the quarry campaign itself who are supporting him. That was backed up by Leanne Murray, who is the chair of the campaign, but also acts as his campaign agent.
There have also been accusations by some members who support the quarry campaign that their views were not sought before the campaign decided to back a Reform UK candidate.
One of Slater’s election rivals told The Lancashire Lead that it’s ‘certainly not true’ that the whole campaign backs him.
They added: “At the very least it’s a false statement - and a breach of electoral law.”
David Jill said: “I’m in the group and don’t support him. My views have not been sought by the group and I suspect not many others have been canvassed.”
Another added: “As far I am concerned the "Quarry Group" is now a political organisation on behalf of the Reform party. And will not get any support from me.”
But Ms Murray said that Matthew’s ongoing support for the campaign, previously as a Conservative, meant that ‘he’s the best person we can trust to support the fight against the quarry’.
A spokesperson for the Electoral Commission told The Lancashire Lead: “Both candidates and local non-party campaigners must add imprints to printed election material to ensure there is transparency about campaigning.
“If the candidate or their agent is responsible for publishing the material, their details should appear on the imprint as the promoter. If a local non-party campaigner is responsible, their details should appear as the promoter.”
Lancashire Constabulary confirmed to The Lancashire Lead they have received no reports in relation to the matter.
The local branch of Reform UK did not respond to a request for a comment.
Elsewhere Preston East Reform UK candidate Luke Parker has been subject to complaints after fly-posting and stickering took place on the grade-II listed Moor Park.
Preston City Council confirmed it had received complaints over the stickers which relate to the upcoming local elections. Although the elections are for Lancashire County Council and the Preston East division, it is the city council who act as the returning officer overseeing conduct in the election campaign.
The stickers appeared ahead of Preston North End’s Tuesday evening home game against Cardiff City – and a number of them have already been scratched off or removed.
Adrian Phillips, chief executive of the city council and deputy returning officer, said: “We are aware of a number of election posters that have been placed across Moor Park and surrounding areas. Election candidates, agents or parties are not permitted to put posters or promotional materials on public property or any other property without the consent of the land/property owner.
“Preston City Council’s Elections Team are seeking to contact the candidate’s agent to resolve the issue.”
Fly-posting is listed as a criminal offence which can be dealt with by either a fixed penalty notice of £150 or by referring it to the police where if it goes to court a magistrates can impose fines.
Scott Pye, chairman for Reform in Preston, said: “I was made aware of the leaflets being posted on council property this afternoon by electoral services.
“Myself and Luke have spoken to our activists and identified who was responsible. The activist had some spare leaflets after their delivery and was not aware that posting them on public land was not allowed. We have told them that this should not continue.”
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Tory councillor criticised for converting property to flats without planning permission
By Robert Macdonald
A councillor has been given retrospective planning permission to turn a property into flats, which was started without planning permission, but with ‘stringent’ conditions and some criticism.
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