Hundreds of Tory leaflets sent to wrong south Essex constituency in 'mix up'

HUNDREDS of campaign leaflets for a Conservative parliamentary were sent to the wrong constituency in a “mix up”.

Campaign material for Tory party chairman Richard Holden, who is running in Basildon and Billericay, was delivered to address in Rayleigh and Wickford due to an “issue”.

The Conservative Campaign Headquarters have said the issue was out of the party’s control but has now been rectified.

The decision to put forward party chairman Mr Holden sparked controversy earlier this month when senior Conservative association members in the area reacted with fury that a “local” candidate had not been put forward.

However, he run over members as he convinced them he was “the only man for the job”.

Previously, Mr Holden was MP in North West Durham - more than 300 miles away.

A spokesman for the Conservative Campaign Headquarters said: “We are aware of an issue where the election address for Basildon and Billericay was delivered to some of the incorrect addresses.

“The issue is known and not one within the party’s control.

“It has been rectified but we understand and share the frustration of voters who may have received the wrong leaflet.”

The Tory candidate also faced backlash for ignoring questions about his candidacy during a pooled television interview earlier this month.

Basildon and Billericay is regarded as a safe Conservative seat, with John Baron having won a majority of 20,412 over his nearest Labour opponent in 2019.

However, the latest YouGov polls have suggested the Tory party could miss out with both Reform UK and the Labour party narrowly polling ahead of the Conservatives.

The parliamentary candidates for Basildon and Billericay are: Richard Holden (Con), Alex Harrison (Lab), Stewart Goshawk (Green), Stephen Conlay (Reform UK), Christopher Bateman (British Democratic Party), Dave Murray (Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition), Edward Sainsbury (Lib Dem).