Supporters of Richmond and Twickenham Green Party were shocked to discover that four election stakeboard signs had been broken or removed from their front gardens by as-yet-unknown culprits.
The apparent acts of vandalism took place within hours of each other on Wednesday 22nd April outside houses on Church Road and Waldegrave Park. Two of the signs were found snapped off the top of the stake, while two others were missing entirely. All four boards have since been restored in defiance of what may be attempts at political intimidation.
Emblazoned with the words “We’re voting Green”, the signs continue to appear on various streets across the borough to promote the Green Party ahead of local elections on Thursday 7th May.
“As shown by recent polling and our own data, support for the Green Party is skyrocketing across London. We have a strong chance of winning seats in many wards of this borough,” said Councillor Richard Bennett, who is standing for re-election in South Twickenham. “The theft of our stakeboards shows we are clearly getting under our rivals’ skin.”
The incidents occurred in the contested electoral wards of Fulwell & Hampton Hill and Teddington, near the Shacklegate Lane allotments which the Liberal Democrat-run Council have decided to scrap.
Former Lib Dem councillor turned Green candidate David Trigg said, “I left the Lib Dems because I believe their near monopoly on power has made them arrogant and complacent. The allotment closure is yet another example of their terrible decision making.”
Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Cllr Chas Warlow said: “It is very clearly a criminal offence to steal or damage election stakeboards. We have informed the police of these incidents — anyone who has any information should also contact the police.”
Green voters who want to show their support for us can request a poster or stakeboard (while stocks last) via the local Green Party website.
