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22
May 2023
Prime Minister's Harrogate agent urged to apologise over 'distressing' leaflet
A Green councillor has called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Harrogate agent to apologise for sending a "misleading and distressing" letter to voters.
Sam Gibbs is the Conservative councillor for Valley Gardens and Central Harrogate on North Yorkshire Council. He is also the political agent for Richmond — the seat held by Mr Sunak.
The Mirror revealed voters in Stockton-on-Tees received letters in the run-up to this month's local elections with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's name and address at the top alongside the words 'your council tax bill 2023 is up 38% since 2016'.
Labour is the largest party on the council.
Some of the wording was in red to appear similar to a final payment demand. But it was actually a Conservative campaign leaflet produced at Richmond constituency office.
The bottom of the letter says 'this is not a bill and no payment is required'.
The Mirror wrote:
Read more:
- Harrogate councillor is Rishi Sunak's agent in Richmond
- Exhibition to honour Harrogate's 1,163 war dead
- The MP aiming to win his fifth election in Harrogate and Knaresborough
Arnold Warneken, a Green councillor who represents Ouseburn on North Yorkshire Council, described the letter as "misleading and distressing". Cllr Warneken said:
Cllr Pat Marsh, who represents Stray, Woodlands and Hookstone on North Yorkshire Council and is leader of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Liberal Democrats, said it was "outrageous behaviour from the Conservatives". She added:
The Stray Ferret contacted Cllr Gibbs and the Conservative Party but has not had a response.
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