"ARROGANT" TORIES DON'T TURN UP
April 15, 2010 11:34 PM
The Liberal Democrat party agent for the elections in Pendle, Tony Greaves, has criticised the Conservatives for not turning up to an election briefing held for the parties by the Returning Officer Stephen Barnes and his election staff. Detective Inspector Dave Groombridge from Lancashire police was also present.
All the other local parties were represented at the meeting on Wednesday - Liberal Democrats, Labour, UKIP and the BNP.
The meeting was convened by Returning Officer Stephen Barnes for agents at both the General Election in Pendle, and the Council elections in the borough. Among issues presented and discussed were the conduct of candidates in the campaigns, preventing postal vote fraud, the national code of conduct for parties and the statement issued by Mr Barnes on the behaviour of parties in Pendle.
Other major issues were the handling of complaints during the campaign, the activities on Polling Day including behaviour of party officials outside polling stations, and the conduct of the count.
Tony Greaves said: "I find it appalling that the Conservatives did not bother to turn up, and did not even send apologies or explanations. They think they know it all and to behave like this is an insult to Mr Barnes and his staff, and to Inspector Groombridge who gave a reassuring explanation of the seriousness that the police now regard these matters.
"The Tories' attitude is both arrogant and complacent. They have past form with not attending these meetings. In view of the spate of allegations of electoral malpractice in Pendle in recent years, it's the duty of all of us to do everything we can to co-operate with the Returning Officer and his staff, and to stamp it out."
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