A Salford councillor is standing as a candidate in the local elections… in the Cotswolds. Chris Twells is not up for re-election in his Ordsall seat on May 4, but his name will appear on ballot papers in the leafy district of Tetbury with Upton.
Last year the Lib Dem councillor successfully campaigned against veteran Labour rival John Walsh to take the Salford seat and is not due for reelection until 2026. Salford Labour Mayor Paul Dennett has written an open letter saying he is ‘dismayed and disappointed’ to hear that ‘whilst sitting as a councillor Mr Twells has a permanent address registered in the Cotswold area’ and is standing as a candidate as well as acting as election agent and coordinator for the LibDems in that area.
A Lib Dem colleague of Coun Twells insisted he is a 'paper candidate' in the Cotswolds and says he is working hard for his Salford constituents. Mr Dennett said: “Coun Walsh, a lifelong Salford resident and councillor of more than 20 years lost the election by a narrow 90 votes in a shock result,” said Mr Dennett.
Mr Dennett also criticised Coun Twells’ claiming he has ‘poor attendance at council meetings’ which is below 50 pc according to published council records. In his letter he challenged him to explain how he can stand for election in the south whilst fulfilling his committment to Salford residents.
Coun Twells was contacted by the LDRS last night but has so far not responded. However, Coun Alex Warren, leader of the LibDems on Salford city council, defended his colleague, saying: “Chris works privately as a professional contractor organising elections. That's his job.
“He’s their agent because he’s highly skilled at what he does, but he still lives in Salford. His name is on the ballot paper as a paper candidacy because the LibDems were struggling to fill their slate. He will not win.
“If Paul doesn’t understand that it’s a technicality, and perfectly legal, that’s his problem. As far as I am concerned this is much ado about nothing.
“Has Paul got a problem with other councillors who carry out hybrid working and filling vacancies? Does he want to level these HR accusations at other councillors? Chris still lives in Salford and is still carrying out casework for local residents. He put a lot of work in and deserved to win his seat in Ordsall."
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