The Darlington Conservative Party has defended its decision to photocopy handwritten letters from residents, urging neighbours to vote for their party, and distribute them as election campaign leaflets. 

People throughout the town have received several ‘letters’ from “very concerned” people called Dorothy, Sharon and Rebekka, who praised the work of the Conservative council and warned of future Labour rule. 

Some of the concerns include Labour and the Green party allegedly working together to allow “men like Nick Wallis calling the shots again”, one letter reads. There is praise, however, for Conservatives' work to bring the Treasury to Darlington or Willis to Teesside Airport. 

But the similarities in writing style and content, and the printed disclaimer that they have been distributed by the Conservative Party, has led residents and candidates to question their credibility. 

The Northern Echo: One of the leaflets posted through doors from 'Dorothy'One of the leaflets posted through doors from 'Dorothy' (Image: The Northern Echo)

Whinfield resident David Taylor criticised the move and wanted to raise awareness of the ‘deceptive’ leaflets.  “It came through in a hand-delivered envelope and I spotted straight away it wasn’t as it appeared to look despite being presented as a letter from someone called Sharon in support of the candidates. 

“I thought it was a bit strange but then noticed the small imprint at the bottom, which says it’s printed by the candidate himself. It’s clearly not intended to look like a campaign leaflet; It’s fictitious.”

The Whinfield ward is currently held by Conservative councillors Jamie Bartch and Andy Keir as they bid to retain control of the area. 

Mr Taylor says he isn’t currently affiliated with a political party but branded the party’s tactics as “out of order”. 

He added: “I think it’s laughable really, it’s totally underhand and it’s not within the spirit of electioneering.

"To me, campaign on the positives of what you’re doing but you don’t have to engage in this kind of activity. It’s deceptive. Somebody who is more vulnerable than myself will take it as being from a genuine concerned resident.” 

The Northern Echo: All three leaflets touch on similar themes of Labour regaining control of the council All three leaflets touch on similar themes of Labour regaining control of the council (Image: The Northern Echo)

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The Conservative Party said it had received permission from the residents to publish their letters and the Electoral Commission did not object to the leaflets. 

A spokesperson said: “We’re delighted that residents right across Darlington are backing our plan to make the town an even better place.

"This election is of huge significance to local people who have seen what has been achieved by this current Conservative led administration and want to see more progress, more investment and jobs and better local services.”

"These letters from residents across Darlington are compliant with all rules and given the imprint and contents it was clear that this was a piece of election material in support of the Conservative’s plan to make even more progress in Darlington. It is a common practice across the country to share letters and quotes from residents.”

The Northern Echo: Another letter posted through doors is from 'Sharon'Another letter posted through doors is from 'Sharon' (Image: The Northern Echo)