The Visit; Wiltshire’s Councillors Endorsing Michelle Donelan

Have you had “the visit” yet? Your local councillor house-calling hand-in-hand with Conservative candidate Michelle Donelan? I have. At least it broke up my busy day with lighthearted banter! You know, by publishing their adventures in pestering on Facebook, they’re verging on breaking electoral rules, right?

Despite my pacifism means my assault would only have been verbal, I had to get the better half to face the candidate who cost the taxpayer £34,000 for her personal court case whilst using her position to insure her partner and their father profited from the pandemic, because I couldn’t be trusted, holding an electric hedge trimmer and all!

The leaflet was refused with an expression of surprise. It was surprising all round, in fact. I was surprised at the audacity to shamelessly parade the streets begging for votes; canvassing they call it, desperation I call it!

They were surprised upon my reply to their comment that it was “a nice day for it,” which was, “yes, when you get back perhaps you could pay back some of the money you stole!” Michelle’s expression was one of sucking a lemon, as she hurried to harass the next-door neighbour instead, without much fortune. And I, in turn, was surprised the backup was our own councillor who I like and trusted. But, if they come to your house begging for votes in this way, they are possibly breaking electoral rules, when such ventures are published, as they have been on Michelle Donelan’s own Facebook page. (It’s all cool, I was booted off her page for appealing against genocide, ages ago!)

On “prohibition of political publicity,” a Government Act 1986, which you can view for yourself at Legislation.gov.uk, it states “(1)A local authority shall not publish[F1, or arrange for the publication of,] any material which, in whole or in part, appears to be designed to affect public support for a political party.”

Yet, here they are, doing it. “Reels” are the deal, short videos to you or me, and Michelle has smattered her Facebook page with Wiltshire Conservative Councillor and Conservative Town Councillor endorsements. It doesn’t matter how many emojis you use to make it feel fun, this is still published matter, it is undemocratic and it borders on breaking electoral law.

Those who we know of who rallied the cause, at least those reels currently active online are Cllr Maria Hoult, Devizes South Town Councillor, Cllr Laura Mayes Wiltshire Councillor for Bromham & Rowde, Cllr Jack Oatley Wiltshire Councillor for Melksham Forest, Cllr Brian Burchfield of Colerne, Cllr Johnny Kidney Wiltshire Councillor for Winsley & Westwood, and Cllr Nick Holder for Bowerhill.

UPDATE: Our sources though have been informed by a spokesperson for Wiltshire Police, and after a thorough investigation with senior people in the electoral commission they have found “no wrongdoing.” This is because it was not published on a Wiltshire Council platform. The conclusion of their investigation is that we must apologise for our mistake when stating it was unlawful, and we have edited this out with fairness. Still, to us the internal ethics of attempting to influence the electorate is unfair on opposition parties.

It seems they are so confident they will not be exposed by local media for flaunting electoral law in this way, they will brazenly publish such material unashamedly. We will be chatting to the candidates for alternative options over the coming weeks, so you can make your own mind up without the persuasion of “your local councillors,” so stay tuned!

Oh, and the hedge looks great now, thanks for asking; just shaved a little off the top and sides!