Reform UK Faces Police Investigation Over Alleged Election Rule Breach in Manchester By-Election
Reform UK has been accused of "cheating" in a bid to win votes in the upcoming Gorton and Denton by-election, prompting a police investigation into potential breaches of election law. The controversy centres on a leaflet distributed to households in the Manchester constituency, which lacked the legally required imprint identifying the party behind it.
The Controversial Leaflet and Its Origins
The leaflet in question was presented as a letter from a "concerned neighbour", local pensioner Patricia Clegg, aged 74. In the note, Mrs Clegg endorses Reform UK's candidate, Matt Goodwin, for the by-election scheduled for Thursday, 26th February. She expresses her dismay at the current government, citing tax rises as a key reason, and states: "After a lifetime of voting loyally, I feel I have no choice but to vote for Reform UK on Thursday, 26th February. Please think about doing the same."
However, the letter contained no indication of who funded or arranged its printing. Under UK election rules, while campaign literature does not have to be explicitly branded, an imprint showing the party responsible is mandatory on all materials. Many similar pamphlets include a small line to indicate allegiance, but this was absent from Mrs Clegg's letter.
Reform UK's Response and the Printing Error Claim
Reform UK has strongly denied any intentional wrongdoing, attributing the omission to a production error by a third-party print supplier. A spokesperson for the party stated: "The campaign commissioned a letter from a local constituent which was supplied to our print contractor with the full and correct legal imprint, fully compliant with election law. Print ready proofs were provided by the supplier and approved by the campaign. Those proofs clearly included the legal imprint in the correct form."
The spokesperson added that an error occurred during the printing process, where the legal imprint was inadvertently removed without the party's knowledge. They emphasised: "At no stage did the campaign know about, authorise or intend the distribution of material without a legal imprint. The omission arose solely from a supplier error after compliant materials had been submitted and approved."
Printing Company Admits Fault
Hardings Print Solutions Ltd, the printer responsible for the leaflets, has accepted full responsibility for the mistake. In a statement, a spokesman said: "Hardings Printers has identified an error in the production of election leaflets printed and distributed on behalf of Reform UK for the Gorton & Denton by-election. We take our responsibilities in relation to election material very seriously and take full responsibility for this error occurring."
The company explained that Reform UK supplied artwork with the correct imprint, and a compliant proof was approved. However, during the final trimming stage, the imprint was accidentally removed due to an internal error that went unnoticed before distribution. The spokesman apologised to Reform UK and the voters of Gorton and Denton for the oversight.
Police Investigation and Electoral Commission Involvement
The Electoral Commission has clarified that enforcement of campaigning rules falls under police jurisdiction. In response, Greater Manchester Police has confirmed it will be investigating the case to determine if any election laws were violated. This probe adds a layer of scrutiny to Reform UK's campaign tactics in the by-election.
Background of the By-Election and Political Context
The Gorton and Denton by-election was triggered after Labour MP Andrew Gwynne stepped down due to ill health. This contest is seen as an early indicator of Labour's support ahead of local elections in May, with the party facing competition from both the Greens and Reform UK. Notably, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, had expressed interest in standing for the seat, but his bid was blocked by Labour's National Executive Committee.
Mrs Clegg, who identified herself as a Reform member, told the Guardian that she was asked by the party to put her name to the letter. This revelation has fuelled allegations of deceptive campaigning, with critics accusing Reform of using underhanded methods to sway voters.
As the investigation unfolds, the incident highlights the importance of transparency in political campaigning and raises questions about the integrity of election processes in closely watched constituencies like Gorton and Denton.
