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.
