'Silly tricks' claim as Labour picks three O'Neills to fight Tory with the same name

 
Target: Bexley council leader Teresa O’Neill says some voters could select a rival candidate by mistake
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Labour was today accused of “silly tricks” after fielding three local election candidates in one ward with the same name as a sitting councillor.

Bexley Tory Teresa O’Neill said she was shocked to find that the Labour candidates standing against her were all also called O’Neill. She claims it is a plot to trick people who want to back her into voting for a rival candidate.

Ms O’Neill, who is leader of Bexley borough council, said: “There are three O’Neills that have been put up against me, that’s no coincidence. It’s silly tricks from the Labour group who are so devoid of policies that they have to resort to doing things like this.

“In fact, it’s stupid things like this that make people want to vote for parties like Ukip.”

A list of candidates published by the council confirms that in her Brampton ward a Margaret, a Michael and a Paul O’Neill are standing for Labour on May 22. The two other Tory councillors for the ward are also up for election.

The list shows that two of the Labour O’Neills live at the same address: Margaret and Michael are married. Michael O’Neill, who has stood as a candidate in the borough before, today said: “I have no idea who the leader of the council is.” He refused to comment further.

His wife, who has been a councillor in a neighbouring ward for 20 years, did not respond to a request for comment.

Paul O’Neill, who is standing in his first election, married Teresa Pearce, Labour MP for Erith and Thamesmead, this month. He said: “We are lucky to have other O’Neills and it’s wonderful people will have three to choose from.”

He added: “I respect the people of Brampton’s ability to make up their mind on a ballot paper which will clearly say ‘Labour’ as opposed to ‘Conservative’ alongside the names.”

His wife said: “We’re not trying to cause mischief. Maybe she [Teresa O’Neill] is just worried. There weren’t that many people left to choose from, because it’s a Conservative ward and once all the seats are gone where people are likely to win, it’s hard to find people to stand. It just happened that three of them were called O’Neill.”

Ms Pearce said she had no intention of changing her own name to O’Neill following her marriage, adding: “Now that would really cause mischief.”

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