DORSET CONSERVATIVES have reported the Liberal Democrat Party to the Police and the Electoral Commission for distributing proven inaccurate information in their current campaign material.
The Liberal Democrats have accused Dorset Conservatives of voting to slash £2million from the cost of living support fund. There is no such fund and there was no vote. Dorset Council has ongoing work to support residents through the cost of living challenge, this is allocated funding in our budget and will continue as long as it is needed.
Although the Liberal Democrats have been asked by Dorset Council not to use this statement, we are aware that leaflets are still being distributed containing this misinformation and so we have had to take this official action.
Although of course we’d love to win a majority in the upcoming election, debate, challenge and opposition are vital and so ultimately we just want to see decent people elected to Dorset Council.
There will always be disagreements on how to campaign, how to present a view or perhaps even to spin a point. We have never made a complaint about an opposition party before. This is not a decision we have taken lightly as mistakes can and do happen but a blatant lie needs to be challenged.
Our colleagues from other parties in Dorset are also raising concerns over misleading representation of data by the Lib Dems, suggesting Green, Labour or Independents 'can't win here'.
We must call this behaviour out. People should be able to trust the people standing to represent them.
NOTES
All the information required to verify that this statement is inaccurate and misleading can be found in publicly available reports and minutes here on the Dorset Council website on the Cabinet and Scrutiny pages Democracy at Dorset Council - Dorset Council
For quotes or further information please contact Spencer Flower on 07914 674814