Tories Whinge at Ashtead Residents about Voting RA

A Tory newsletter issued across part of the Epsom & Ewell parliamentary constituency has told local residents that it's OK for national Lib Dem or Labour supporters to vote for an Independent in a local election, but not for Conservatives to have this choice! The Tories failed to win any of the three Ashtead wards in the local council elections in May (Independent candidates were victorious) which were held at the same time as the General Election, won by Tory MP Chris Grayling.

Jonathan Lees, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate who came second to Grayling, said:

"This newsletter demonstrates the dismay felt by Tories who, in this area, consistently fail to do well in local elections - yet return an MP with a good majority. Quite simply, people choose to vote Independent, Lib Dem or Labour locally because certainly in our case the Lib Dems work all year round and have experienced candidates. Some wards in the Epsom & Ewell Parliamentary Constituency hear nothing at all from Tories until there is an election. Then their candidates either live miles away or know nothing about local issues."