Croydon
Tories have reached an all time low with their wrap around four page
advertisement in a recent edition of Croydon Guardian edition, with its
headline: ‘Labour Spending Plans = 27% Council Tax rise’.
This
blatant scaremongering comes from the Party which put up the Council Tax in
2013/14, and as an election gimmick is rebating it back this year. The
advertisement was cleverly timed to come out just as people were starting to complete
their postal voting forms.
Suggesting
that a 27% Council Tax rise is possible is a gross distortion of the truth. The
Government caps rises in Council Tax. For this financial year it was 2%. Croydon
Labour has promised zero Council Tax increases until at least 2016. So even if
the cap remains at 2% per annum for 2016/18, the maximum increase could only be
just over 4% until 2018 when the next local elections take place.
Note: I am not a member of a political party.
Amended version 15 May.
Amended version 15 May.
Here is the reply from the Electoral Commission to my request fro guidance:
ReplyDeleteDear Mr Creighton,
Thank you for your email to the Electoral Commission.
Campaign publicity material is subject to a number of restrictions under electoral law, and is also subject to the general civil and criminal law relating to published material.
To summarise, all campaign publicity materials:
that are published must contain the required imprint containing details of the full name and full postal address of the printer and promoter of the material
must not make a false statement about the personal conduct of any candidate
must not be paid to be displayed, unless paid advertising is the usual business of that particular site
can only be displayed with correct permission (for example, no fly-posting)
must be removed after the election according to local and statutory planning rules
are subject to the normal civil and criminal law relating to published materials
must not resemble a poll card
The Commission does not regulate the content of political campaigns and does not investigate individual allegations of electoral malpractice, as these are a matter for the police.
If you believe an offence has been committed and are prepared to substantiate this complaint through a written allegation, this should be brought to the attention of the police.
Any complaints about the general content of material should be made to the party or campaigner who is responsible for it.
Any complaints about material that is alleged to be or inciting racial hatred should be reported to the Police.
Any complaints about defamation would be a matter for the aggrieved party, who should seek independent legal advice.
You could also submit a complaint to OFCOM.
I am sorry that I could not be of more assistance, however please let me know if you require any further information.
Kind regards,
Tim Lloyd
Public Information Assistant
The Electoral Commission
3 Bunhill Row
London EC1Y 8YZ
Tel: 020 7271 0569
Fax: 020 7271 0505
www.electoralcommission.org.uk
www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
Democracy matters