Election 2015: 'Vote Name Surname,' east London Tory's campaign leaflet urges

 
Blunder: Would-be Tory MP Samir Jassal blamed the error on printers (Picture: William Nicholson/@WillNich)
Sebastian Mann27 April 2015
WEST END FINAL

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Voters in an east London constituency were left confused by an election leaflet urging them to vote for a Tory candidate called "Name Surname".

The campaign material was put out on behalf of East Ham Conservative hopeful Samir Jassal, who blamed the embarrassing blunder on a printing error.

Entitled "A personal message from Samir Jassal", the leaflet claims the candidate is "not a career politician" but a successful businessman who started out in the constituency.

It ends: "For a strong and effective MP who will be accountable to you, vote Name Surname on 7th May."

Opponents seized on the error, with Labour candidate Stephen Timms drawing attention to the mistake on Twitter.

Newham Green Party (@NewhamGreens) tweeted a picture of the unfortunate flyer with the words: "Oh dear @NewhamCons [Newham Conservatives]... not a great first impression! #schoolboyerror."

Mr Jassal was not immediately available when contacted for comment, but on Twitter he blamed the mistake on wayward printing.

Reacting to criticism from the Greens, he wrote: "Whilst you guys are trying to score cheap political points over a printing error I am spending my time on people's concerns."

He also told local newspaper the Newham Recorder: “As far as we are concerned it was accurate when we sent it off to the printers.

“Fifteen days before a general election it doesn’t look great, it’s an easy goal to score against me but to be honest my focus is on the campaigning.”

Speaking to the Standard, an East Ham resident who received the leaflet said he wouldn't be voting for Mr Jassal.

"It's really straightforward," said sound engineer William Nicholson. "Why would you vote for someone who doesn't even check their own campaign literature thoroughly?

"It's not even a typo: it's just lack of care, on a simple cut & paste job from Con HQ."

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