A by-election battle has turned personal after a council hopeful hit back at claims made about where he lives.
Conservative candidate Luis Richard Alun James Gordon has criticised a Reform UK campaign leaflet which he says claimed he lives in Wellington.
The Conservatives have referred the matter to the Mid Devon returning officer, saying Luis has lived in Tiverton for 20 years and would be ineligible to stand if the Reform UK claim were true.
Luis said: “It is disappointing to see these false statements being circulated.
“I am a Tiverton resident, through and through. My focus remains on being a strong voice for Cranmore Ward. Voting take place on May 14.”
Goff Welchman, who is standing for Reform UK, said the address information was taken from the imprint on the Conservative candidate’s own campaign leaflet.
He said: “The address information of the Conservative candidate was taken from the imprint on his own campaign leaflet, which clearly states that he resides in the Wellington area.
“His leaflet is very open to criticism, which we are taking up with the returning officer.
“I would also add, that if the candidate is so involved with and knowledgeable about Cranmore Ward, why are his team canvassing in Lowman Ward?
“His credentials in supporting Cranmore cannot compare with mine, so he is clutching at straws, knowing that he is staring defeat in the face.”
Mr Gordon added that the legal address on Reform’s leaflets was London, questioning “does that mean he lives in London? I don’t think so.”
Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats have also challenged leaflets.
Steve Lodge, Liberal Democrat County Councillor for Tiverton West, challenged figures which state an incorrect figure for the voting stats in the chart – Lib Dems got 29.6%.
He adds a prior leaflet makes a claim about money spent on community projects in Tiverton added: “All 60 Devon county councillors – Liberal Democrat, Conservative, Labour, Green and Independent – received the same £8,000 annual allocation to support community projects in their area. The funding comes from council taxpayers, not from any political party.
“I understand thar concerns have been raised that the leaflet’s wording could give voters the false impression that the funding is connected to the Reform party, or that electing Reform candidates at town council level would help secure similar funding.
“The town council by-election is for a different tier of local government. Town councillors have no control over county council Locality Budgets.
“It’s disappointing to see campaign material that could leave voters thinking this is something unique to Reform when it simply isn’t. Every county councillor in Devon gets the same Locality Budget to support their community – and it’s public money, not political party money. I’ve had the same locality budget and spent every penny of it on worthwhile community projects.
“The wording is very misleading. Town councillors don’t control county council budgets, and public funds shouldn’t be dressed up as party achievements. It feels like they’re deliberately blurring the message.
“Voters should be able to trust what they read during elections.
“”Devon County Council’s Monitoring Officer is responsible for councillor conduct and the Members’ Code of Conduct.”
A poll for Tiverton Town Council’s Cranmore Ward will be held on Thursday, May 14, between 7am and 10pm. One councillor will be elected.
The candidates are Luis Richard Alun James Gordon, Conservative; Claudette Harrower, Liberal Democrats; Ana Luisa Hendy, Local Independents for Tiverton; and Goff Welchman, Reform UK.
The polling station will be Sunningmead Community Centre, Lazenby Road.
