THE Conservatives have slammed Independent Community and Health Concern (ICHC) election leaflets as “undemocratic” after they featured Wyre Forest’s Liberal Leader urging its voters to back the ICHC candidate.

ICHC leader, Howard Martin’s, election leaflets had a statement from Liberal Leader, Fran Oborski, urging all Liberal voters to support Mr Martin at the District Council elections, as there was no Liberal candidate standing in Broadwaters.

Tracey Onslow, election agent for the local Tories, said the party was “disgusted” and “appalled” with the ICHC leaflets.

Mrs Oborski, however, said her statement was made on behalf of Liberal supporters who were “disgusted” that former Conservative councillor, Mumshad Ahmed – now an Independent– was “seen leafleting” with Broadwaters Tory candidate, Steve Walker, despite being suspended from the party last year.

“How undemocratic,” Mrs Onslow said. “By not putting up a candidate, the Liberals are forcing Liberal voters either not to vote or, if they do want to cast their vote, to vote for another party – making a mockery of democracy.”

Mrs Oborski said: “It’s not for the Conservative Party to interfere with other people’s elections.”

Mr Martin won the Broadwaters seat after gaining 198 more votes than Mr Walker.

Mr Martin said: “It’s a case of sour grapes. If Fran wants to say ‘vote for Howard Martin’ I can’t see what the problem is.

“If one party doesn’t want to put up a candidate in another area and wants to say ‘we would rather you vote for this individual than the Conservatives’ I don’t see anything wrong with it.”