Candidates out canvassing for the local elections taking place next month say they have been facing a hostile reception from some residents in the wake of the MPs’ expenses scandal.
Several Shrewsbury candidates who are standing for election in the Shropshire Council and Shrewsbury Town Council elections on June 4, say they have had to deal with people who are abusive towards them when they knock on their doors.
David Farmer, former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough councillor and Conservative candidate standing in the town council and unitary elections for the Bagley division, said he had experienced first hand people’s anger because of the
He said: “I do all my own canvassing and cover 2,000 households but I have been finding it difficult lately. I knocked on one door and was told we were all the same and that we all had our noses in the trough.
“When I tried to explain that I was standing in the local election and defend myself he just slammed the door in my face. I am very concerned that many people have also said they are not going to vote because of all this and I would argue that if you don’t vote you have no right to complain.”
Alan Mosley, standing for Labour in the town and unitary elections in the Castlefields and Ditherington divisions, said: “People are very angry about what they are seeing reported about MPs and there has been a backlash in terms of attitudes to councillors. I have tried to explain to people that we are local politicians and we are trying to get elected so we can make a difference to the local community but it is difficult.”
Judith Williams, standing in the town council and unitary elections for the Conservatives in Porthill, said: “I have noticed that people seem to think we are all bent and all on the take. I think they are also switched off because they are voting for unitary councillors that they didn’t even want.”