Parties criticise Reform over 'misleading' leaflets

Reform UK has been accused of "trying to drive a wedge between communities" by other parties over what they say are misleading claims in election leaflets about the amount spent on translation services.

The leaflets claim the Conservative-run Suffolk County Council spends £283,000 on translation services for "those who refuse to integrate" as an example of its finances, which it called a "mess".

The letters, delivered to homes in several villages in the Upper Gipping division, were signed by Charles Tilbury, the party's candidate for the area.

Reform was approached but refused to comment.

The leaflets, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, landed on the doormats of homes in villages including Haughley, Stowupland and Mendlesham.

They arrived ahead of elections for every seat on the county council, and for a third of Ipswich Borough Council's seats, on Thursday.

Identical letters were posted through doors as far apart as Norfolk and Peterborough, with minor changes reflecting the different amounts being spent by respective authorities.

In Suffolk, Reform's claim was calculated by tallying up the county council's reported payments over £250 to translation companies, or equivalent, in the 2024 calendar year.

It was alleged this money showed how much was being spent on people who refused to learn English.

The most recent figures, provided by the council, show the spending was just over £240,000 for the year to February.

The services included written translations, several forms of spoken interpreting, and even assistance for those with hearing and sight difficulties.

Likewise, translation services may also be needed for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and to support families from Ukraine who have been accepted into the UK because of the war.

When the council's data was broken down, it showed most of the money, about £210,000, was spent on children and young people.

The second-highest spending department, with a total spend of just under £15,000, was adult social care.

Andrew Stringer, the Green candidate in Upper Gipping, called the claim a "disgrace".

"It is assuming the translation services we use at Suffolk County Council are being used for people who refuse to speak English – that is not the case," he said.

"This gives you a chilling glimpse of what happens if Reform does gain power."

Nick Gowrley, also running in Upper Gipping as a Conservative, added: "This sort of ludicrous stoking of fires is trying to drive a wedge between communities.

"Other than ostracising those in need, Reform UK have nothing to say about what they'd do in Suffolk. They are as predictable as they are disappointing."

Cliff Waterman, Labour candidate for Eastgate and Moreton Hall division, called the claim "appalling" and urged candidates to be truthful.

"What it illustrates is that Reform's main aim is to stir up hate and anxiety among people, trying to set one group against another," he said.

"It's a shame that Reform candidates are putting out what is misleading claims on their leaflets."

Andy McGowan, Liberal Democrat candidate for Eastgate and Moreton Hall, accused Reform of "trying to drive division through attention-grabbing headlines" that lacked context.

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