Electoral Commission: Sam Younger Question 2

Dear Sam Younger

In the case of one constituency that I know about (NOT the one I live in) representations were made.

That was for 2005. The winning candidate had produced a very large quantity of paper, probably five times as much as the incumbent.

One account of events claimed 27 different items of print were seen.

His own activists have reported burning the whole run of one leaflet.

The campaign used quite a number of different printers, most distant from the constituency and not in regular use by them.

Though they were apparently running voter contact with three specially installed landlines from their Campaign HQ, as well as using many, many mobiles, yet their telephone bill was declared at less than £20.

It would cost that to activate one line never mind rent it or pay for a single call.

Activists complained that some of those "getting paid" were not doing as much work as the volunteers. But no-one was recorded as receiving wages or allowances in the return.

There were at least two examples of shared costs with neighbouring constituency campaigns which were stretching the bounds of credibility.

These were for one item of print and for sharing premises. As if a campaign would really be run from miles from the centre of another constituency.

This constituency party has I'm told been subject of a complaint. But as far as I know there has been no news.

Best wishes

Labour of Love

Mr Younger is appearing on 18 Doughty Street tomorrow. Iain wants question suggestions. Here are ten of many, concentrating on election spends nitty gritty.