Worcester Park by election gets dirty (From Surrey Comet)

Worcester Park by election gets dirty

11:03am Thursday 9th February 2012 in News By James Pepper

A Liberal Democrat election campaign backfired when an official website was hijacked by the Tories.

All five candidates have been out canvassing in Worcester Park in an attempt to sway undecided voters before the by election on February 16.

Roger Roberts, candidate for the Liberal Democrats, was left red-faced after one of the websites he promoed in his campaign literature was snapped up by the Conservative party.

In an oversight by the party, the domain name for its saveoursergeants.org.uk site was not paid for, allowing the Conservatives to buy it and ues it to criticize the opposition candidate.

A spokesman for the Conservatives said: "Whenever you are conducting a campaign and print leaflets with a website on, it is advisable to make sure you own it first."

Commenting on the website Mr Roberts said: "I was saddened to discover that the Conservative candidate has launched a smear website, attacking me, rather than taking the opportunity to campaign on an issue that really matters to the residents of Worcester Park."

Elsewhere on the campaign trail, London Mayoral hopeful Ken Livingstone was in the borough this week to support the Labour candidate Hilary Hosking.

It follows a visit to the ward last week by Conservative party chairman Sayeeda Warsi.

THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Hilary Hosking - Labour

Hilary Hosking said: "I was delighted Ken was able to come down to support my campaign as well as Louisa Woodley's campaign for the Croydon and Sutton GLA seat.

"Ken thinks Worcester Park, split between various boroughs, can seriously benefit from the work of the GLA in tackling wider crime and transport issues.

"On the doorstep he was talking to local residents about the current Mayor's cut in Police numbers and the recent fare rises as well as traffic and planning issues."

Roger Roberts - Liberal Democrats

Roger Roberts said: "A lot of people are delighted we are freezing council tax and putting the money into schools.

"People are pleased to be getting school places they wanted and receiving support.

"Having represented one side of Central Road in Worcester Park, and being a former resident, I hope to resume my association with the area.

"We have lost a police sergeant in Worcester park and I believe this is the thin end of the wedge."

David Pickles - UKIP

David Pickles said: "Do we need another yes man on the council or do we want somebody different who is not going to be tied to the same old regime? Nothing has changed between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats.

"Under the Tories and the Lib Dems we have lost 14 fully paid police officers in Sutton, 19 PCSO's since 2010 and gained only one civilian job. This blows apart the Tory claims that they are tough on crime."

Simon Densley - Conservative

Simon Densley said: "There is not nearly enough parking in Worcester Park and that adversely affects businesses because shoppers can not park.

"The traffic control in general around Central Road is awful.

"Worcester Park has been forgotten about for the last 25 years. "e want to get funding back into the area, rather than wasting money on the High Street.

"Worcester Park is the highest populated ward in the borough, therefore contributes a lot of council tax."

George Dow - Green Party

We were unable to contact Green Candidate George Dow for comment.