'An Aldershot by-election blunder has left Rushmoor Council Andrew Lloyd with some explaining to do.' -- Surrey-Hants Star

'I don't see how he can run the by-election when he has been compromised like this.' -- Councillor Peter Sandy

'This picture says it all.' -- Eric Neal, Tory wannabe councillor

For an election to be seen as fair and above board, it is absolutely essential that the Returning Officer is above reproach. This is no longer the case in the Rotten Borough of Rushmoor, where the Returning Officer Andrew Lloyd (also the Borough chief executive) is seen as tainted, following his appearance on the leaflet of a Tory candidate in an Aldershot by-election.

Andrew Lloyd, would and probably has, protested his innocence, that it was not he who put him on the leaflet, but that is to miss the point, he has to be seen as beyond reproach, not just be beyond reproach, and any hint of inappropriate behaviour or impropriety should be seen as sufficient for him to stand down, otherwise we can have no confidence in the electoral process.

A pathetic little squabble has broken out in the Aldershot by-election, between the Lib Dems and the Tories as to who was responsible and can claim the credit for the relocation of a company little more than a hundred yards within the town centre. The fact that no one gives a toss, seems to be beyond them.

They also seem to have missed a far more serious point, that what both sides seem to claiming the credit for is predetermining at least two planning applications. If this had been known at the time it would have been more than sufficient grounds for a successful Judicial Review to have the planning consents quashed.

Eric Neal, the Tory hopeful, 'worked in the justice system for may years' (what he means is he used to be a screw at Feltham young offenders), tried to put the record straight (or at least claim the credit) by publishing a picture on his leaflet. Only he cocked-up big time as the picture shows the Tory council leader, the Tory Mayor and the Tory (in all but name) council chief executive Andrew Lloyd.

The only problem is, Andrew Lloyd, council chief executive, is also the supposedly impartial and above reproach Returning Officer for the Aldershot by-election.

The Tories, with more than a little egg on the face of their candidate, have issued an apology. But if their apology was genuine, they would would have withdrawn their candidate and apologised. This they have not done. Not only have they not withdrawn their candidate, but they have continued distributing their offending leaflet.

And who appoints the Returning Officer? Why none other than the Rushmoor Tory Cabinet, who want to win the by-election in Aldershot to retain their stranglehold on the Rotten Borough of Rushmoor.

Andrew Lloyd has been asked to consider his position and resign, but he has refused, instead he has chosen to brazen it out. No doubt with the full support of his Tory Cabinet who appointed him.

Peter Sandy, one of a handful of decent independently minded councillors in the Rotten Borough of Rushmoor, has called upon Andrew Lloyd to resign, as he believes his position as Returning Officer has been compromised. He has also asked for the Returning Officer to step in and disqualify the offending candidate. This request has been refused, even though there has been an admission of a breach of the rules.

But, when Peter Sandy responded it was alright then for all of us to break the rules, he was told if he did, he would be done!

The affair may now be referred to the Electoral Commission.

 http://www.electoralcommission.gov.uk/

Note: North Town by-election, Aldershot, Thursday 26 January 2006.

Reference

Red faces in blue election bid, Surrey-Hants Star, 19 January 2006

Eric Neal, election leaflet, North Town ward, Aldershot by-election, January 2006