Swansea LibDem Candidate Backs Tory Rival

The following news article appeared in the South Wales Evening Post after an email sent to a Conservative in Swansea West from the local LibDem Parliamentary Candidate who is "impressed" with the campaign being run by the Conservatives in the next door seat of Gower. In fact, so impressed with the "intensive" campaign being run by the Tories in Gower, the LibDem PPC urged the Conservative Party member to go and campaign for the Tories.

We wonder of the LibDem Candidate's colleague in Gower is equally impressed with his opponent's campaign and perhaps he will be leafleting for the Tories, too?

Candidate is "Liberal" in his support of Tory

Alex Brown,
council reporter

A LIBERAL Democrat election candidate has been thanked for his support by a rival Tory.

Gower Conservative candidate Byron Davies has welcomed an apparent endorsement from Lib Dem Peter May. In an email, Mr May, who is the Lib Dem candidate for Swansea West, seems to urge a member of the public to support Mr Davies.

After Mr May, who is also a Swansea councillor, sent an election leaflet to Jason Gazeley, of Heather Crescent, Sketty, Mr Gazeley replied that he was a Conservative member and would be backing his party's candidate in Swansea West, Rene Kinzett.

However, Mr May replied that Mr Gazeley should offer his support to Mr Davies.

He said:"I must say that I have been equally impressed with the literature going out in your area's target seat of Gower. In the Assembly elections in 2007, the Conservatives came a very close second and in the 2009 Euros they won the seat.

"I know that Byron Davies is running a very intense campaign there. I often speak with (Conservative) Councillor Tony Colburn, who is currently distributing them, and could always do with extra hands.

"I'll put you two in touch."

The email has, unsurprisingly, been welcomed by the two Conservatives.


Mr Kinzett, who is also a Swansea councillor, said: "It's extraordinary for anyone from a political party to encourage someone to go and campaign for the opposition, let alone a Parliamentary Candidate.

"Despite all their hype, the Lib Dems are obviously worried enough in Swansea West that even their Parliamentary candidate is trying to get Conservative campaigners to go and deliver leaflets in Gower. Have the Lib Dems given up in Gower? According to their Swansea West candidate it would appear that they are impressed with our campaign and may have just rolled over. I suspect that the Lib Dem Candidate in Gower (councillor Mike Day) may have a different view to his Swansea West colleagues."

Mr Davies, said: "While I welcome most endorsements for my campaign to become Gower's next MP, I think it must be unprecedented to get such glowing support from a political opponent. The Conservatives are in the lead to replace Labour in Gower, even the Lib Dems say so."

Mr May said he was offering advice on how Mr Gazeley could gain the best "election experience". He said: "I am saying the Tories always finish third in Swansea West.


"To make his experience more worthwhile he should go to a more realistic campaign. The Conservatives aren't going to be running a campaign here because there's no money - it's going into Gower."