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Labour newsletters are now being distributed, after previously condemning the Liberal Democrats for leafleting in lockdown.
The South Oxhey Rose newsletters from the Labour group have now continued distribution using the Royal Mail, despite the group accusing Watford’s Liberal Democrats of violating Government lockdown restrictions.
All political groups were discouraged from door-to-door leafleting in lockdown as they campaign for the May elections, and after the issue caused a national debate, Cabinet Office minister Chloe Smith specified lockdown restrictions do not support door-door campaigning or leafleting “by individual party activists”.
The Lib Dems first caught fire for their recent run of a ‘WatfordWideNews’ tabloid-styled newsletter, but the group classed the act as an exempt “voluntary service” that cannot reasonably be undertaken from home.
Cllr Stephen-Giles Medhurst previously explained that Lib Dem activists themselves were not handing out leaflets, and it was legally handled through a leaflet distribution service and the Royal Mail, with “one or two exceptions”.
The South Oxhey Rose
At the time, Labour chairman Asif Khan called it the “height of irresponsibility,” and claimed that at least some Liberal Democrat activists ‘traipsed’ the streets of lockdown.
Upon the news that Labour leaflets are now being distributed, Cllr Giles-Medhurst said it is in their right to do so, but questioned why Labour were so critical of the Lib Dems for leafleting.
He said: “That isn’t the issue, them putting stuff out, as far as I’m concerned. The issue is they had a real heavy go at us both locally and nationally.
“We’ve had no problem with them keeping their residents informed, it is exactly the same in how we kept our residents informed, but it is very hypocritical to criticise us for doing something they are now doing.”
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The leading Lib Dem councillor repeated thoughts said by Mayor Peter Taylor, who questioned why restrictions apply to political leaflets and not other businesses.
Cllr Giles-Medhurst said he fears this could ‘skew’ the local elections, and that science shows leaflets do not transmit the virus.
The WatfordWide and Bushey News from the Lib Dems
South Oxhey Labour councillor Steve Cox stated that the party was less concerned with Lib Dems using a third-party service, but instead were annoyed after supposed sightings of some Lib Dem activists handing out leaflets, despite the guidelines.
He said: “As we are adhering to and obeying the stay-at-home message and because volunteers cannot deliver the much-valued and eagerly anticipated regular newsletter, we entered into a commercial arrangement with the Royal Mail who are experts and professionals in the field of delivering.
“The Royal Mail are going door-to-door doing their job in any event. The difference is the Liberal Democrats, as has been confirmed, have sent activists out to people and doorsteps unnecessarily, who would not otherwise be there and had no need to be.
“Labour has been at pains to follow government and national guidance at all times.”
Cllr Giles-Medhurst has denied that at least some Lib Dem activists may have handed out leaflets.
