Lib/Dems voice surprise at council criticism over leaflet

The Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrat Party has voiced surprise at criticism by Welshpool Town Council over the distribution of their latest edition of “Welshpool Focus”.

Town councillors condemned the distribution of the leaflet in the week leading up to the death of Councillor Ann Holloway and claimed that “news snippets” about Town Council activities contained in the leaflet could mislead residents into believing they were linked to the political party.

Councillor Phil Pritchard also described the leaflet as “insensitive electioneering.”

Commenting on the motion and debate at Welshpool Town Council meeting, held on Wednesday night, a spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats said:

 “This leaflet is a bi-monthly community newsletter delivered by Welshpool Liberal Democrats. It reports on local news of interest to residents. It is simply untrue that the leaflet in question gives no credit to Welshpool Town Council. It credits them twice. 

“The leaflet in question does not give any credit to the Liberal Democrats apart from to advertise the petition we are running on Shrewsbury A&E and Richard Church’s campaign on road safety.

“The leaflet had been in circulation for some time and we had received no complaints from members of the public whatsoever, and distribution ceased when we learned of Cllr Holloway’s sad death.

“We were therefore surprised that the Council raised this in the way they did and Richard Church has now written to the Mayor offering to meet him to address the Council’s concerns.

“We have no quarrel with Welshpool Town Council who provide a good service to the people of Welshpool.”