A candidate in the forthcoming Staffordshire County Council elections has questioned how well one of his rivals could represent an area she does not live in.
Philip John, who will stand in the Lichfield City North area under the Something New banner, says Conservative hopeful Natasha Pullen is symptomatic of the political land grab tactics employed by the main parties.
He claimed in an online post that a number of candidates in Lichfield and Burntwood lived beyond the boundaries of the voting areas they were standing in.
Mr John added: “Local councillors are supposed to represent the people, not their party. How can they be doing so when they don’t even live in the area?
“People in Lichfield should, like me, be offended that Natasha Pullen thinks she can represent them while living five miles away in Burntwood. She can’t – she’s just joining the party political power grab.”
But Mrs Pullen said her links with the city were clear.
“With children in Lichfield schools and having spent the last five years heavily involved in Lichfield charities, I have already evidenced, in a small way, how I can serve the people of Lichfield.
“A vote for me on May 4 will help me build on this work even further.”
Full list of candidates for the Lichfield City North area:
- Philip John – Something New
- Natasha Pullen – Conservatives
- Miles Trent – Lib Dems
- Hilary Wolfenden – Green Party
- Caroline Wood – Labour
