Liberal Democrats are calling on the Conservatives to apologise after they delivered a campaign leaflet disguised as a heating bill in areas across Huntingdon.
“The front of the Conservative leaflet reads ‘New Heating Bill’ and ‘Do Not Ignore’ in large font on top of a brown paper background, aiming to get the reader’s attention,” said a joint statement from local Liberal Democrats..
“The contents of the leaflet was about the Labour Government’s decision to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners not receiving pension credit, which came into effect at the start of winter.”
Local Liberal Democrats added: “The Government’s decision to cut the allowance was opposed by opposition parties, including the Liberal Democrats, who managed to force a vote on the issue in the House of Commons.
“The small print at the bottom of the page revealed that the leaflet was promoted ‘on behalf of the Conservative and Unionist Party’
“We are focusing on supporting local people whilst the Conservatives are playing political games.
The leaflet’s imprint and a photo of Cllr Jo Harvey (front left, blue jumper/black coat) with ward partner Cllr Nathan Hunt (front right, blue checked jacket) and a group of activists.Cllr Jo Harvey is executive councillor governance and democratic services at Huntingdonshire District Council and a warn councillor for Huntingdon East where the leaflet was delivered.
She said: “As a lead volunteer for a mental health support group, I’ve seen the massive impact an unexpected bill can have on someone’s mental health – which is why camouflaging a political campaign as a bill is so damaging.
“The Labour Government’s decision to cut the winter fuel allowance was wrong, which is why the Lib Dems have been fighting against it in Parliament.
“My ward partner Cllr Nathan Hunt and myself are fighting hard all year round for our residents. All the Conservatives will achieve with this stunt is worrying members of our community during a cost of living crisis, rather than actually achieving anything.”
“The front of the Conservative leaflet reads ‘New Heating Bill’ and ‘Do Not Ignore’ in large font on top of a brown paper background, aiming to get the reader’s attention,” said a joint statement from local Liberal Democrats..Imprint on the leaflet says it was promoted by Simon Westlake on behalf of the Conservative Party. Mr Westlake is a senior figure within Conservative circles having serving as a political adviser to former prime ministers and remains a senior adviser to the party now they are in opposition.
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION – DEFINITION OF AN IMPRINT
Some campaign material must have an imprint. Imprints state who is responsible for publishing campaign material and for whom they’re promoting it. Imprints help you understand who is trying to influence you with campaign material.
Campaign material (print and digital) is any material that political parties, candidates or non-party campaigners send to voters. It could be an update about what’s happening in the constituency, information about a policy, or promotional material for an election or referendum, for example.
Some material must include an imprint by law. There are different rules on imprints based on the type of material.
An imprint must include the name and address of the person or organisation who has published the material. If they have published it on someone else’s behalf, the imprint also needs to include that person or organisation’s name and address.
Printed material must also include the name and address of the printer.
