Royal Mail Candidate Mail Fiasco in Gedling
Press Release 05/06/2017 Gedling Liberal Democrats
Gedling Lib Dems would like to make the press aware that there have been some significant problems with Royal Mail's 'free' delivery of their candidate's (Robert Swift) leaflet which should have hit the door-mats of voters from the 26th May.Initially the party started receiving complaints that voters had been receiving the leaflet two days after the Manchester Arena terror attack. This was contrary to the national moratorium on all campaigning by all parties and should have been well understood by Royal Mail management.The party then received word from households within another parliamentary constituency that the leaflet had been both delivered outside our constituency and during the moratorium. As Robert Swift's Electoral Agent, I contacted Royal Mail who said there was a crisis meeting being held that day and we would be contacted later; this did not happen.It now transpires that potentially a whole district ward may not have had their leaflet, whilst those outside the constituency have.
We have demanded that Royal Mail deliver the ward tomorrow (Tuesday), but have yet again failed to receive a response.The fiasco has caused Gedling Lib Dems reputation damage and affected their democratic right to have their message reach every voter in the constituency.In addition to this, as agent I have received two addressed mailings: one from the Conservatives, the other from Labour, both of which were destined for an address on another street in the constituency. A Lib Dem leaflet on behalf of Barry Holiday in Nottingham East was delivered into Gedling Ward.
There clearly needs to be a root and branch investigation into this, one which Royal Mail seem to be avoiding.
Jason Stansfield
Electoral Agent for Robert Swift - Gedling Lib Dems