Labour's campaign of lies

8.18.07am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 30th Apr 2006

Lambeth residents are finding themselves on the receiving end of a extraordinarily negative and cynical election campaign from the local Labour Party, as it becomes increasing desperate in its bid to take control of the council on 4th May. In stark contrast, Lib Dems in Lambeth are campaigning on their record since 2002 of turning around the council's finances and the services it provides, as well as a positive programme of action to further improve Lambeth over the next four years.

Lambeth Labour's campaign marks a return to the tactics revealed in their leaked campaigning guide. The notorious document, meant to be a confidential blueprint for defeating the Lib Dems in an election campaign, was widely reported in the media in the wake of the 1998 local elections. It advised party members to use dirty tricks and smear tactics, manipulate the press, tell residents lies and steal other parties' ideas.

In one section the document urged campaigners to "Go negative until swamped by complaints. Then do it again." In another, for dealing with opposition councillors, it advised: "Find one flaw and smear them all."

Like a leopard, it seems Lambeth Labour doesn't change its spots. Labour councillors remained defiantly unapologetic about their underhand tactics back in 1998 and, without any positive ideas or detailed policies to help improve the council today, have resorted to the same strategy again.

One of the most outlandish lies peddled by Labour is that the Lib Dems are trying to close down all of Lambeth's swimming pools. The truth is in fact the opposite - that, as part of Revitalise, the council's massive regeneration programme for the rest of the decade and beyond, the Lib Dems have resolved to improve leisure services across the borough and actually increase the number of swimming pools. Most importantly, the Lib Dems will

ensure that swimming pool, leisure and library services are be available continuously throughout any redevelopment. But instead of playing a constructive role in looking at the different options available in each of Lambeth's town centres, Labour councillors have taken the opportunity to scare monger about the future of our leisure facilities. Click on the

following link to see the official minutes of the council meeting confirming

the Lib Dems' commitment:

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3479FF8F-26BA-4984-BB77-749FB7765581/0/ztminutes130206final.pdf

These lies and smears may not actually win them any votes on 4th May, but Labour hope that all their negative campaigning will frighten enough Lib Dem voters to allow them to sneak in. Please read the other stories on this site to find out the truth about the Lib Dems and our plans for the next four years - and please use your 3 votes on 4th May to elect 3 Liberal Democrat councillors who are positive about Lambeth and ambitious for the borough.