Tories in Gazette Poll Tampering Claim (Shepway Liberal Democrats)

Tories in Gazette Poll Tampering Claim

January 24, 2006 3:33 PM

The Hawkinge Gazette has been contacted by a reader asking: "Should the public not be made aware that the Conservative Party high command is seeking to tamper with independent surveys?"

The local Conservative office had sent out the following Email to drum up support for the local Tories sitting on Shepway Council.

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Subject: Please Vote

Date: Sat, 21 Jan 2006 14:26:14

A local news website, The Hawkinge Gazette, is currently running an opinion poll oÂn its front page in which people can vote to say the current administration at Shepway should go.

We would like the Conservatives to stay in power and a strong vote oÂn this website will help stop dissent.

Please vote "No, give them another chance" today at http://www.localrags.co.uk/

Thanks

Bob Davidson

Agent

The Conservative Party

4 West Cliff Gardens

Folkestone

Kent

CT20 1SP

Tel: 01303 253524

Fax: 01303 251061

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The Hawkinge Gazette has spoken to the Conservative Party Agent Bob Davidson who confirmed that he had indeed sent out the Email.

Defending his actions he said: "We are not seeking to tamper with an opinion poll.

"It's just a democratic way of campaigning as political parties would."

Shepway Liberal Democrats