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The statement on the ICG website says:"Tuesday, 27 April 2010 15:16  The Independent Community Group (ICG) has branded its Labour opponents as “deceitful” after discovering that calling cards implying that local election canvassers had knocked on residents’ doors were in fact being delivered by private leaflet distribution companies, and that doors were not being knocked on at all. "The cards are being distributed around Syon ward by a private distributor alongside advertisements for Anthony James Manser estate agents and Sky 4 Cars. In one day areas allegedly covered by Labour “canvassers” stretched from St. John’s Road in Syon to the Twickenham border in Isleworth and incorporated the entire West Middlesex estate. "ICG candidates Councillor Caroline Andrews and Tricia Doran, who are standing in Syon and Hounslow South respectively, spotted a young girl of about 18 in Mill Plat Avenue delivering the cards alongside the commercial material. The cards read “On Your Doorstep Today” and give the names of the three local candidates. "Councillor Andrews comments: “These cards are clearly designed to give the recipient the impression that a canvasser called, when the truth is either that Labour couldn’t be bothered to knock on doors and speak to residents or that they in such dire straits that they no longer have the manpower or support to be able to do it. “We know that they have been doing some genuine canvassing in parts of the ward but this is just deceitful”. "It will be interesting to know if the Labour Party is doing this in other wards and if the cost of paying the distribution company will be declared in Labour's Election Expenses.

David Giles ● 5851d