A Welsh Reform branch has been branded “irresponsible” after its Chair circulated what Plaid Cymru described as “false” claims that its volunteers were attempting to collect voters’ personal data outside polling stations during a crucial by-election.
Plaid candidate Anthony Cook was elected to Caerphilly County Borough Council after storming to victory in the Hengoed by-election on August 6 with Reform’s candidate Kimberley Heath coming second.
On voting day, Chair of the Reform Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly and Rhymney branch, Jan Walsh, claimed in a Facebook post that Plaid Cymru volunteers were “asking people for their addresses” outside polling stations.
She wrote: “It seems Plaid Cymru volunteers are associating themselves as part of the furniture in the polling stations.
“Asking people for their addresses. They are not identifying themselves and people are assuming they’re part of the electoral process.
“They’re the same as all parties standing. The rest of us don’t need to be so nosey… we have spent time door knocking and listening to people, not making a short cut to peoples’ data..”
Nation.Cymru asked Ms Walsh to provide further details about the alleged activities of the Plaid Cymru volunteers she claimed were attempting to obtain voters’ data in Hengoed on August 6, but she did not respond.
Plaid Cymru rejected Ms Walsh’s allegation as “completely false” and criticised her for circulating it on polling day, saying it risked misleading voters and undermining...
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