Reading Labour accused of misconduct at candidate presence at surgery

The Redlands ward of Reading Borough Council, which covers the university area and the Hexham Road estate, is a battleground between the ruling Labour Party and the Greens, the largest opposition party.

This year, incumbent councillor Dave McElroy the Green candidate, is defending his seat amid a challenge from Dr Sunila Lobo, the Labour candidate.

The Labour Party has been accused of impropriety after Dr Lobo was seen canvassing at a ward surgery held by cllr Will Cross, a Labour representative for Redlands.

The councillor surgery was held at the Polish Social Club in London Road.

The Piwnica restaurant and former Polish Social Club at 81 London Road, Reading with the image of Jesus of the Divine Mercy. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

A neighbour who attended was approached by Dr Lobo at the end of the surgery and asked whether he had received Labour’s ‘Redlands Matters’ letter.

When he said no, cllr Cross gave a copy to him, and Dr Lobo asked him whether he would support her in the local election on May 2.

He questioned whether Dr Lobo’s presence was ‘inappropriate’ at the council-supported surgery and accused Labour of ‘partisan behaviour’.

The complaint was raised with Michael Graham, the council’s assistant director of legal and democratic services, who confirmed that surgeries are supported by the council and that he would not expect candidates to be at surgeries or use them as canvassing opportunities.

A spokesperson for the council said: “This particular incident was investigated and it was found that the person accompanying the councillor was there to prevent him from conducting the ward surgery alone and not for the purposes of canvassing.

“Councillors are advised not to conduct surgeries alone for security and safety reasons.

“However, for clarity, the council will update its advice to councillors when undertaking surgeries with people who are not councillors.

“Ward surgeries are not used for canvassing and political campaigners are not routinely at councillor surgeries.”

A Labour Party spokesperson said: “The matter was raised by a resident with the Council’s Monitoring Officer, who investigated the complaint and found Cllr Cross’s explanation to be satisfactory.”

Councillors Will Cross, right, a Labour representative for Redlands elected in 2022 and 2023. Credit: Will Cross

The surgery occurred on March 2.

Commenting on the investigation, cllr McElroy, the incumbent Green candidate for Redlands said: “I’m not sure what I can add to this; it speaks for itself.

“I feel a bit sorry for Dr Lobo, who as a newcomer deserves better instruction from her Labour mentors.

“For our part, Greens will not be using council-funded surgeries for this sort of thing, whatever excuses we are given to use.”

Dave McElroy, an incumbent councillor and Green Party candidate for Redlands ward in Erleigh Road, East Reading. Credit: Reading Green Party

Other candidates for Redlands ward are Francis Jakeman for the Liberal Democrats, Richard Williams for the Conservatives and Melanie Dent, the candidate for the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC).