Council leader aiming to ‘restore voters’ confidence’ ahead of elections

A firm pledge has been made by the leader of Slough Borough Council to ensure everything will be done to restore voters’ confidence in the election process.

At yesterday’s full council meeting (Tuesday), a member of the public asked Cllr Robert Anderson what he plans to do to ensure ‘cleaner election practises’ in the town.

In response, the leader said people have had an ‘unfortunate’ reminder in the last few days about the consequences of electoral fraud.

It comes after former UKIP chairman Steven Gillingwater, 26, of Tennyson Way, Britwell, was sentenced for two counts of electoral fraud at Slough Magistrates’ Court on Monday in connection with last year’s local elections in the town.

Cllr Anderson said the people of Slough deserved a ‘clean election’ in May.

“All Slough residents have to feel confident in the candidates,” Cllr Anderson added.

Later on in the meeting, Cllr Anderson then proposed a motion to for all councillors to agree to ‘show the upmost respect towards electoral law’.

This includes ‘not tampering with opposition literature’ and following the Postal Vote Code of Conduct.

He said: “We are coming up to the election period which has got everybody focussed on the issue.

“But it is clear that some people may not want to play by the rules.”

Councillors voted unanimously to pass the motion.

A lighter moment was enjoyed later on in the meeting when deputy leader and commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal, Cllr James Swindlehurst, mistakenly said: “We have an erection coming up in Slough.”

The meeting took place at The Centre in Farnham Road.