Dear Sir,
I am a little confused with the recent by-election for Shafto/St Mary’s ward on Great Aycliffe Town Council, to replace the vacancy left following the death of Bob Fleming. This election would normally be a co-option due to there being only six months to run, then they would have to do it all again.
I have campaigned for elections in various constituencies around the country, the first one in London, then Manchester and Durham with Sedgefield, yet never seen anything like this.
Having been a member of the Labour party for over 57 years it seems a bit ironic that the Liberal Democrats promised to reduce Council Tax yet this by-election has cost the council tax payer in Newton Aycliffe approximately £10,000, for running this election, not sure about the school closure costs for use as polling stations.
Residents will note that the Labour party did not put a candidate forward due to there being only six months to run before the next all out election.
I feel that the Liberal Democrats have misinformed the residents by promising to cut council tax, yet put a candidate forward that had an extra £10,000 burden on the taxpayer.
For residents reference, this ward of Shafto/St Mary’s has an electorate of 2379 yet only 17.44% of those voted, the lowest ever for Newton Aycliffe, in fact anywhere I have campaigned.
Both candidates used one single issue and that was the police station which is out of the remit of the Town Council, that rests with the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman.
Vince Crosby