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Original poster

AIBU to think this is electoral fraud?

106 replies

CatPancake · 02/06/2024 12:26

I’m outing myself here… but my local MP candidate has released new election graphics….

would you be shocked if I told you he’s not a member of the Labour Party!!!

Have a guess which Party he is campaigning on behalf of please 🙏🏻

AIBU to think this is electoral fraud?
OP posts:
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19
Dakotabluebell · 02/06/2024 13:17

KimberleyClark · 02/06/2024 12:45

I think that’s unlikely as it will be obvious on the ballot paper that he is the Tory candidate not the Labour one.

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Not everyone can necessarily fully understand the ballot paper. It may not be obvious to everyone. Some people have disabilities that might make it more difficult to understand what they need to do or what they're looking at. I have ADHD and i have to read the ballot paper three or four times before i mark the box to make sure I'm voting for the right person.

It's entirely feasible someone may walk in intending to vote for Labour, see Largan's name and vote for him on the basis of remembering the catchy slogan that has misled them to think he's labour.

But that's the tories for you. Resorting to cheating to win.

Startingagainandagain · 02/06/2024 13:07

I saw on Twitter this morning that this has been reported to the police and the Electoral Commission.

I know some Tories at the local elections had been removing mentions of the Conservative party/logo and also using over colours, green for example, instead of Tory blue for their flyers to distance themselves from Central Office, but this is taking things to a new level!

Completely fraudulent as it looks like a Labour Party flyer and can only have been done on purpose to trick voters into thinking he is a Labour candidate.

They really are desperate...

YellowHairband · 02/06/2024 13:07

lostoldname · 02/06/2024 12:41

A lot of Tories are putting the word “conservative” on their leaflet in very small letters. Even Sean Bailey when he stood to be London Mayor (before partying during lockdown and being rewarded with a seat in the Lords) did not readily identify himself as a conservative on his leaflets.

Like Ben Houchen, re-elected as the mayor for Tees Valley. A lot of his stuff only said Conservative in very very tiny letters at the bottom where they have to give the address.

DramaLlamaBangBang · 02/06/2024 13:01

Corinthiana · 02/06/2024 12:40

Yes, I did wonder if that's how he'd get round it.
It's certainly giving him publicity!

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He should have done what other Tories did during the local elections then and campaigned as himself with no blue rosettes or mention of Sunak. If he's such a great constituency MP, they would vote for him anyway. People in North Norfolk, a true Blue County voted for years for Norman Baker, even though he was Lib Dem, because he was an outstanding MP. It's gone blue since he retired.

Naran · 02/06/2024 12:54

It's misleading and deceitful, for sure. And I do think he should be told to stop distributing them.

But if people can't read the party on the ballot paper, then we don't really have much hope.

Corinthiana · 02/06/2024 12:51

Wonkypictureframe · 02/06/2024 12:51

I’m not. He never wins.

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True 😊

Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/06/2024 12:51

A lot of Tories are putting the word “conservative” on their leaflet in very small letters

Oh dear Grin

Presumably leaving off the wall to wall blue tones too ... ?

Wonkypictureframe · 02/06/2024 12:51

Corinthiana · 02/06/2024 12:48

When I was in politics they always used to say that the most important thing was to get your name known to the electorate.
Farage just likes to self promote, I think.
I'm intrigued that he's not actually a candidate...

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I’m not. He never wins.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 02/06/2024 12:50

I seem to remember a few years ago a candidate standing for something called the Literal Democrat Party and getting lots of votes from people thinking ge was the Liberal Democrat candidate. I guess this is a similar scenario

fruitgummy · 02/06/2024 12:50

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Corinthiana · 02/06/2024 12:49

KimberleyClark · 02/06/2024 12:45

I think that’s unlikely as it will be obvious on the ballot paper that he is the Tory candidate not the Labour one.

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Yes, those are my thoughts.
However, as I said to @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g - it gets his name known.

Corinthiana · 02/06/2024 12:48

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 02/06/2024 12:45

I don't subscribe to the view that all publicity is good publicity, but I suppose some people must. Nigel Frge seems to feel he's doing himself good by his endless TV and radio appearances. My blood pressure would disagree.

Show quote history

When I was in politics they always used to say that the most important thing was to get your name known to the electorate.
Farage just likes to self promote, I think.
I'm intrigued that he's not actually a candidate...

KimberleyClark · 02/06/2024 12:45

Corinthiana · 02/06/2024 12:36

Labour voters will vote for him, falsely believing him to be the candidate.

Show quote history

I think that’s unlikely as it will be obvious on the ballot paper that he is the Tory candidate not the Labour one.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 02/06/2024 12:45

Corinthiana · 02/06/2024 12:40

Yes, I did wonder if that's how he'd get round it.
It's certainly giving him publicity!

Show quote history

I don't subscribe to the view that all publicity is good publicity, but I suppose some people must. Nigel Frge seems to feel he's doing himself good by his endless TV and radio appearances. My blood pressure would disagree.

Corinthiana · 02/06/2024 12:44

IClaudine · 02/06/2024 12:41

It is funny that so many Tories are desperately using their campaign materials to try to distance themselves from their own party.

I know! How embarrassing.

Corinthiana · 02/06/2024 12:44

Coldmorning · 02/06/2024 12:42

Good luck with the Party of Women!

Indeed! 😂

Wonkypictureframe · 02/06/2024 12:43

He is not breaking the law in that he includes the legal wording on the paper that says it’s printed by the Conservative Party. It’s just printed extremely small. It’s a great loophole to exploit and it’s certainly poor practice.

Corinthiana · 02/06/2024 12:43

It's not, @fruitgummy because he's not interfering in the process of an election.
It's deceptive though.

Original poster
CatPancake · 02/06/2024 12:43

Coldmorning · 02/06/2024 12:42

Good luck with the Party of Women!

Eh?

OP posts:
Original poster
CatPancake · 02/06/2024 12:42

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

It says can include, it’s not a full and comprehensive list.

but it could come under making false statements, influencing a vote etc.

can’t you see it’s deliberately misleading?

OP posts:
Coldmorning · 02/06/2024 12:42

Good luck with the Party of Women!

lostoldname · 02/06/2024 12:41

A lot of Tories are putting the word “conservative” on their leaflet in very small letters. Even Sean Bailey when he stood to be London Mayor (before partying during lockdown and being rewarded with a seat in the Lords) did not readily identify himself as a conservative on his leaflets.

IClaudine · 02/06/2024 12:41

It is funny that so many Tories are desperately using their campaign materials to try to distance themselves from their own party.

fruitgummy · 02/06/2024 12:40

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This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

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