Many political parties use scare tactics by presenting charts that rely on irrelevant data. Often, these charts use national polling figures or results from general elections rather than specific local ward data. This is done to incorrectly suggest that a “tactical vote” is necessary to keep a specific party out, even if that party isn’t a primary contender in Heald Green.

Local elections are about who represents your specific neighbourhood, not who runs the national government. Using data from a different type of election or a different geographic area creates a false narrative. As noted by independent fact-checkers like Full Fact, “dodgy bar charts” are a widespread issue used across the political spectrum to manipulate voter perception.

The most accurate information available at the ward level comes from the results of the last local election. This reflects how the people of Heald Green actually voted for their local representatives, rather than how the rest of the country feels about national issues.

If the goal of a tactical vote is to ensure the ward is represented by someone focused entirely on the local community rather than national party politics, the data points to Anna Charles-Jones. An Independent win ensures that all national political parties are kept out of the seat, favouring a candidate with a proven understanding of the area’s specific needs.

While Independent Ratepayer Councillors do not follow traditional party manifestos, there is a core commitment to providing information that is truthful and accurate. The goal is to focus on the issues that truly matter to the residents of Heald Green.

You can read more in our article:
How local election bar charts are misleading voters and using unreliable data