Every Vote for the Lib Dems Counts - Ignore the Oakeshott Letter

You may have received a letter from Matthew Oakeshott using his former position with the Liberal Democrats asking for you to vote tactically. This is a desperate measure by the Labour party to try and confuse you. The use of yellow paper and the Liberal Democrat title in the heading is a deliberate attempt to appear to be an official Lib Dem communication.

Our position is clear, every vote for the the Liberal Democrats adds more weight to our manifesto in the next parliament. We have made clear our priorities to reduce the tax threshold, protect education from cradle to 19, fully fund the NHS with a new focus on mental health and introduce 5 new green laws to protect the planet and improve our quality of life. Every Liberal Democrat vote backs these policies and increases our negotiating weight in the next parliament.

This call for tactical voting is a reflection on our failing First Past the Post electoral system. A system which encourages voters to vote against candidates rather than for the party and policies that they believe in. Liberal Democrats are in favour of proportional representation where the government is decided by the electorate and not by the electoral system. So please vote Liberal Democrat and for reform of this iniquitous system.

Oakeshott left the Liberal Democrats under a cloud. He is now funding the Labour candidate in Stockton South in an undisguised attempt to manipulate the result in this marginal seat. We have no objection to him flying the flag of any party he chooses. However, by failing to wear the red rosette of Labour in this letter, he brings a grubby approach to the campaign which until now has been fought fairly. Politics would be better off without rich donors using their money to influence voters, particularly when they do it in such a direct and underhand manner. We urgently need to reform how political parties are funded

So please don't be tempted to vote tactically on May 7th. Vote Drew Durning - Liberal Democrat