Negative campaigning by Michael Howard's Conservatives based on fiction not fact

Many people have been shocked and surprised at the negative and nasty leaflet received from Michael Howard's Conservative candidate in the Totnes Constituency. Concentrating on a series of statements about Liberal Democrat policy that are simply untrue, it does nothing to promote Conservative policies for tackling some very important issues.

Commenting on the leaflet Totnes Liberal Democrat candidate, Mike Treleaven said:

'I find it regrettable that the Conservative campaign has come down to this level. Many people are already switched off by politics and have a lack of trust in politicians. Negative campaigning such as this does nothing to re-engage people in the political process, something we all want to see.

I have been out and about knocking on doors for weeks now and the overwhelming feeling coming through is that people want to hear politicians talk about how they would resolve the issues, not about how other parties would not!

This election is about honesty and trust and I am particularly dismayed at the inference that the Conservative candidate voted against the war in Iraq. He voted for one minor amendment which was lost. He then voted with the Government on the main motion on February 26th. and, again, for the motion on March 18th. which sent our troops to war. I find it very sad that the candidate is trying to make political capital in this way out of such a tragic situation. The Liberal Democrats stuck to their principals and unanimously voted against both motions. We have consistently argued against the war but, once we lost the political battle, always fully supported our very brave soldiers, sailors and aircrew who carried out the will of their political masters so professionally. It is a tragedy and a disgrace that so many lost their lives, or were injured, fighting a war that was illegal and had no justification.'