Candidate’s leaflets stopped by police – with later acknowledgement it was ‘not a contravention of the regulations’

Confusion over Covid guidelines meant police officers stopped an election candidate’s leaflets from being delivered.

It prompted a complaint from Adam Turner, the Green Party’s candidate for next week’s Conwy county council Eirias ward by-election.

Two people were being paid by the party’s national office to deliver Mr Turner’s political leaflets on his behalf in Old Colwyn but were wrongly told to stop by officers on Saturday afternoon.

After working for four hours prior to being approached, they were allegedly told to go home or face a fine.

Mr Turner, who is vying to get elected in Eirias ward, a seat which became vacant last September after the death of long-standing councillor Dave Cowans, said he had lost four days campaigning because of the mix-up.

It is against Covid regulations for political candidates to go knocking doors and delivering party material on the campaign trail.

However posting leaflets is not illegal if it is done by a professional third party, as was the case in this instance, as the work cannot be done from home.

Mr Turner, 35, said he accepted police were “working exceptionally hard in severely challenging circumstances” but said the force shouldn’t be “beyond accountability” when officers “decide to intervene in important democratic processes”.

He said: “I have paid a mail delivery service to distribute leaflets in the Eirias ward, as is expressly permitted in the relevant guidance.

“On Saturday they were instructed to go home or face a fine by a North Wales police officer.

“I asked North Wales Police for an urgent clarification on the matter, which I received after seeking the involvement of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

“In their clarification North Wales Police admits it misapplied the law and the actions of the workers were lawful.”

He added he didn’t want his campaign to be run in any which would break coronavirus regulations.

The email from outgoing North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones said: “Further to my earlier e-mail I have now received the following advice from North Wales Police:

“‘I can confirm that our interpretation of the regulations in relation to the question asked around individuals in paid employment posting leaflets through doors is that it is not a contravention of the regulations.

“‘I will ensure that force wide communications are issued highlighting this point today.’

“Please rest assured North Wales Police remains completely impartial to any political party and does not seek to disadvantage any party in any way.”

North Wales chief superintendent Nigel Harrison said: “Clearly, the officer has made a determination of what is reasonable, however upon reflection of the current Welsh Government guidance, I can confirm candidates are able to pay for a postal service.”

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter

The full candidate list for the election is below, with some overview information on each:

Patrick Joseph Cahill – Plaid Cymru
Mr Cahill, 52, is single and has lived in Old Colwyn for six years.
He has worked in social care and housing and as a project worker for the homeless.
Mr Cahill has previously volunteered for various charities including MIND, CAIS and Blind Veteran’s.
He believes further development off Dolwen Road is increasingly straining pressured public services and is concerned about fly-tipping.
He also wants to reduce the level of council tax people are forced to pay.

Debra Jones – Welsh Conservatives
Town councillor Mrs Jones is married, with three children and one granddaughter.
She has lived in Old Colwyn for more than 20 years and is a local business holder of 16 years.
She believes upcoming developments on Dolwen Road and Peulwys Land will put too much of a burden on roads, doctors and schools.
Mrs Jones also believes improved flood defences on Old Colwyn promenade are vital and pledges to work to deliver enhanced, sustainable protection.

Gail Jones – Independent
Mrs Jones, who is married and has three grown up children, has lived in Old Colwyn for 18 years.
She is keen to remind people she is an independent candidate with no party affiliations and says this will leave her free to pursue which topics the electorate of Eirias Ward and wider community of Conwy County want addressed, if elected.
Mrs Jones has engaged with local community issues, such as scrutinising local planning applications, for the past 12 years.

Paul Thomas Richards – Labour and Co-operative Party
Mr Richards has served on Colwyn Bay town council for 12 years.
He is married and a former North Wales and Metropolitan Police officer.
He believes ever-expanding housing development in the ward, without proper community infrastructure, needs to be tackled.
Mr Richards says he is passionate about the environment and advocates for the improved sea defences – and about community cohesion, especially with an ageing population.
He also wants to promote youth engagement and better facilities for young people.

Adam William John Turner – Wales Green Party
Mr Turner is chair and campaigns officer for North-West Wales Green Party.
He is 35 years old and has lived in Old Colwyn for several years.
He has studied town and transport planning for a master’s degree and has a professional accreditation from the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Mr Turner wants to represent Eirias residents to help resolve the area’s housing, traffic and litter problems.
He also campaigns on planning issues in his free time – in between litter picks.

Lisa Ashley Wilkins – Liberal Democrats
Ms Wilkins lives in Rhos-on-Sea with her husband and two children.
She’s worked in education teaching children and adults across all ages and is currently a childminder.
She believes Dolwen housing development needs to looked at again due to a lack of infrastructure planning to complement it.
Traffic problems already exist, as do problems in the wider area accessing GPs and doctors.
Ms Wilkins wants to rebuild youth and community services to tackle boredom and anti-social behaviour.