Reform UK’s dirty tricks in Gorton and Denton by-election exposed

A letter sent out in Gorton and Denton from Reform UK, but you wouldn’t know it

Reform UK likes to pose as an outsider to mainstream politics, but it is up to all of the usual dirty tricks.

It appears to be breaking the law in the Gorton and Denton by-election in Greater Manchester in a bid to grab votes.

A letter has been delivered across the constituency claiming to be from “a concerned neighbour, Patricia Clegg”.

It is printed by Hardings Print Solutions Ltd, a company Reform UK uses to print election material. It is the same company on its literature in the Gorton and Denton by-election, as well as in other material such as for a council by-election in Essex.

But the letter doesn’t say it is from Reform UK. 

The letter states, “I feel I have no choice but to vote for Reform UK.” It attacks the Greens as having “extreme policies like legalising drugs and letting men use women’s changing rooms”.

This is similar language to that used in Reform UK’s official election material. One of its leaflets for the Gorton and Denton by-election attacks a vote for the Greens as a vote “for open-border chaos, legalised drugs and more woke nonsense like men in women’s changing rooms”.

The letter names Reform UK’s candidate, Matthew Goodwin, and urges others to vote for him.

Election material must include an imprint, according to the Electoral Commission. As it explains, “An imprint is included on printed election material to show who is responsible for publishing the material.

“An imprint must include the name and address of the person or organisation who has published the material. If they have published it on someone else’s behalf, the imprint also needs to include that person or organisation’s name and address.”

The Commission goes on to say, “All printed election material needs an imprint, including leaflets, newspaper adverts, and billboard advertising.

“Election material is any material that can be reasonably regarded as intended to promote an outcome in an election. For example, promoting a candidate or a political party.”

It shows the dirty tactics that Reform UK is using to con people and push its poison. 

The full letter

Dear neighbour,

Forgive me for writing to you, but with the Gorton and Denton by-election on Thursday 26 February, I feel I have no choice.

My name is Patricia. I am a local pensioner, 74 years old. I worked hard, paid my taxes, brought up my family here, and always believed that if you did the right thing, the country would look after you.

Lately, that belief has been shaken. Every month I worry about my energy bills. Prices in the shops keep rising. My pension does not stretch far enough.

I previously voted Labour because Keir Starmer told us things would change for the better. They haven’t. The truth is that Britain no longer feels like the country I grew up in. Simple things like doctor’s appointments or the buses don’t work. The system feels broken, and no-one in charge seems able to fix it.

Keir Starmer’s Labour government doesn’t care about Gorton and Denton. Their tax rises have cost pensioners like me an extra £160 that we cannot afford. I remember how our last Labour MP — a government minister — wished that a local pensioner who asked about her bin collection would drop dead!

In the Gorton and Denton by-election, I understand why some neighbours who have had enough of Keir Starmer are thinking of voting Green. But I do not believe the Greens have answers to our problems.

They have extreme policies like legalising drugs and letting men use women’s changing rooms. What good would that do people like us?

For me, this by-election comes down to a simple choice: more broken promises from Keir Starmer or real change. That is why I will be voting for Reform UK’s candidate, Matthew Goodwin, who grew up in Manchester. Our area deserves someone who will stand up for local people.

I do not want Keir Starmer to be our prime minister anymore. Voting for Reform is the best way to kick him out. 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.

Yours sincerely,

A concerned neighbour

Patricia Clegg