A message from the chairman

 Like many Reform members I feel particularly aggrieved at the unsubstantiated post on Nextdoor by Labour Councillor Hugo Pound. I therefore have dedicated this Chairmans letter to our supporters as part of our rebuttal and I call for his resignation from public office and dismissal from the Labour Party.

Chairman of Reform UK Tunbridge Wells Branch Calls for Councillor Hugo Pound to Resign Over his Unsubstantiated Electoral Allegations
  

It is now four weeks since the incident alleged by Councillor Hugo Pound is said to have taken place. A few days after the alleged incident, Councillor Pound wrote and published a post on the Nextdoor platform making serious allegations concerning electoral conduct. He has still failed to identify the individual concerned or provide any evidence to substantiate the claims he chose to make publicly.
 

The allegation reproduced below was originally posted by Councillor Hugo Pound on the Nextdoor platform. It reached a wide audience, attracting many views and comments, which is why I believe that in fairness to all sides it is the appropriate platform on which to respond.
 

‘Horrible Reform! As he left the early voting station at Cranbrook on Sunday, the Reform “observer” was heard by a Council officer to say to an older, female Conservative “observer”, “I wouldn’t p**s on you if you were on fire”.
I hope Reform will dissociate themselves from him and kick him out …. Or perhaps he’s a candidate! God help us!’
 

As Chairman of Reform UK Tunbridge Wells Branch, I have now completed my own enquiries into the matter. Having carefully reviewed the circumstances surrounding the allegation, I have found no evidence to support the claims made by Councillor Pound.
 

Councillor Hugo Pound is a serving Labour Councillor for Sherwood and the attack on Reform may have been politically motivated.
 

The facts, however, are very clear.
 

Observers
Observers at polling stations are not affiliated to political parties but are accredited by the Electoral Commission. They are independent of any political party and are present to observe the integrity of the electoral process.
 

Polling Agents
Polling Agents can be appointed by political parties and candidates to observe that voting procedures are being followed correctly. Appointment forms had to be completed and submitted to Electoral Services before the statutory deadline of 29th April.
 

I took the decision not to appoint any Polling Agents. Electoral Services have now confirmed to me in writing that Reform UK did not appoint any Polling Agents for this election.
 

Therefore, apart from candidates, no official Reform representative would have been permitted inside the voting area during the ballot box sealing process where the incident is alleged to have taken place. 

Our candidate for Cranbrook was canvassing in Sissinghurst on the day of the alleged incident and has confirmed he was not present.
 

This means that the following statement posted on Nextdoor by Councillor Hugo Pound cannot be correct based on the evidence available.
 

‘Robert not true, I’m afraid Robert, because he was there on both days and witnessed the box sealing on one of them. You personally may not know who he was but Council officers confirm his presence.’
 

Head of Governance
I wrote to Electoral Services and received a response from the Head of Governance, who confirmed that she is unaware of any report being made by any Council official regarding the alleged incident described by Councillor Hugo Pound.
 

Sensitive pre-election period

Councillor Pound chose the sensitive pre-election period to publicly accuse a supposed “Reform observer” of making abusive comments at Cranbrook voting station — allegations which rapidly spread across social media and generated hostility towards Reform UK and its supporters. No evidence, no names, no person speaking on the record. Just unproven allegations.
 

Discussion at the vote Count on May 8th
When I challenged Councillor Pound he could not provide:
 

• The name of the Reform “observer”.
 

• The name of the Council officer.
 

• Any evidence that the comment was made.
 

• Any evidence whatsoever linking the allegation to Reform UK.
 

Electoral Interference?
This was a politically charged public allegation made by a serving Labour Councillor during an active election period, at a time when voters were already casting ballots. The timing alone raises serious questions about possible electoral interference and the misuse of public standing to influence public opinion against a political opponent.
 

Had any member of Reform UK Tunbridge Wells Branch behaved in the manner alleged, and had credible evidence existed to support the allegation, I have made it absolutely clear that they would have been expelled from the Branch immediately. Standards must apply equally to everyone.
 

Councillor Hugo Pound stated in his post on Nextdoor:
 

‘I hope Reform will dissociate themselves from him and kick him out ….’
 

Call for the Resignation of Councillor Hugo Pound
Councillor Hugo Pound should now provide any proof he has that his allegations are based on fact. If he cannot provide evidence to support his claims, he should:
 

• Explain why these allegations were made without evidence during an active election period.
 

• Consider the damage these allegations have caused to a political opponent and issue a full public apology to Reform UK and its members.
 

• Consider the damage his reckless allegations have caused to confidence in the electoral process and resign.
 

If no evidence supporting these allegations is forthcoming in the next few days, I will seek a meeting with the Chair of the Tunbridge Wells Labour Party and request that this matter is investigated and appropriate disciplinary action taken against Councillor Pound.
 

If he cannot substantiate his claims, then the sanction he called for from Reform should  apply. By his own words, he should be “kicked out”  of the Labour Party.
 

Public trust in elections and standards in public life matter far more than party politics. Councillor Pound should be held accountable for his actions.
 

Rob Grindley 

 Chairman
Reform UK Tunbridge Wells Branch