How ironic that the Liberal Democrats were the ones to submit an election petition against the result in Oldham East & Saddleworth. Don’t get me wrong, I do think the campaign the Labour team ran in Oldham East and Saddleworth was breaking the law, but the Liberal Democrats must be the worst party for misleading the public in elections.
In every by-election I have campaigned in, and there are many, the Lib Dems are constantly the worst offenders. I remember in the Reddish North by-election in 2009, the Lib Dems ran an ‘It’s a two horse race’ campaign, even though they came 4th in the previous election, behind the BNP. I have the leaflet somewhere and will put it up.
That example is just the tip of the iceberg. I have heard many stories of Lib Dem candidates putting out personal attack letters on the eve of poll or on polling day itself, making sure parties cannot respond to personal attacks.
In one by-election in Sheffield the Lib Dems put out a leaflet claiming that ‘Long term UKIP voters are switching to the Liberal Democrats’. I think it’s unlikely that an anti-EU voter would vote for one of the most pro EU parties, whatever the Lib Dem candidates local policies are. It’s proven that a lot of UKIP voters, certainly the long term supporters, vote for UKIP on principle, not tactically.
It is this use of dirty tactics that makes me dislike most Lib Dem activists, in fact, there is only one Lib Dem I actually like and that is Northenden Councillor Martin Eakins.
Coming back to Oldham East & Saddleworth, the Liberal Democrats are yet again up to their old tricks. They have put out a bar chart (pictured) making it look like only the Labour party and the Lib Dems can win, when it is clearly a three way marginal. The Conservatives only came around 2,000 votes behind the Lib Dems in May.
I really can’t wait for the Liberal Democrats turn to be at the hands of an election petition, based on their current campaigning tactics, it might not be long!
