Labour and Lib Dem election material targeted by vandals in Lymington and Pennington
ELECTION signs for New Forest candidates have been slashed and stolen by “mindless” vandals.
The publicity material for both Labour and Liberal Democrat candidates for New Forest West were targeted in attacks across Lymington and Milford, including banners being slashed outside a house.
Labour election agent Jerry Weber described the vandalism as a “mindless act”, adding: “There has been quite a bit of vandalism against political party posters in Lymington during the election.
“I have spoken to our Lib Dem colleagues and they say they are experiencing the same problem. Banners and garden posters are either being damaged or stolen.”
Liberal Democrat candidate for New Forest West, Jack Davies, confirmed that election signs had been deliberately pulled from the ground and removed from outside properties in Milford and Lymington.
He said: “People should be free to express their political opinions – it is a democratic right.”
Mr Davies said he had also received online criticism for being “too young” and for looking like comedian Alan Carr, but he added: “It’s not something that concerns me too much.”
Mr Weber, who is election agent for Labour Party candidate Sally Johnston, said the vandalism had been reported to the police, after the damage was recorded on a motion sensitive camera.
He said: “We don’t think this is being done by any political party. It is clearly a mindless act by an individual who doesn’t approve of the democratic process.”
The banners damaged in the incident cost over £70 each, and were funded by local Labour Party members.
“I think it is a sad time when we cannot conduct a campaign upholding our precious democracy without this mindless activity,” said Mr Weber, continuing: “Although our democracy is flawed, it is something that we can be proud of and be thankful we do not live in an oppressive regime where dissent is not tolerated.
“I hope I speak for all seven candidates in New Forest West that this action is not in the spirit of fair and open campaigning.”
