Purley’s purdah banner is a matter of integrity and honesty

Which of these banners do you consider to provide the most honest messaging?

There’s been a significant response to Inside Croydon’s report before the weekend of the politically-biased banner that’s gone up in Purley town centre, paid for with public money, using a public building, blatantly supporting Tory candidate Jason Perry, and breaking electoral law.

Here’s your chance to express your opinion.

1

Porkie Pie Perry’s Purley Pool poster? All paid for with your money…

2

The purdah pool sign, dreamt up by Croydon fake histories guy Tim Longhurst

Or there’s this…

3

Fixed it for you: a statement of the facts, as suggested by Major Richard Howard

When he saw the banner that the council has put up outside Purley Leisure Centre, Richard Howard, the former Army Major who is running for election as Croydon Mayor for the Liberal Democrats, told Inside Croydon this: “This banner is a blatant misuse of public money for political purposes, and residents will rightly be furious.

“At a time when Croydon is borrowing hundreds of millions just to stay afloat, the Mayor has chosen to spend tax-payers’ money promoting himself with a message that is, at best, a half-truth. The reality is simple: Purley Leisure Centre remains closed, despite clear promises that it would be reopened.

“This is not neutral information for residents — it is political spin, dressed up as a council regeneration message, and paid for by the public.

“Croydon deserves honesty, transparency, and proper stewardship of its finances. Instead, we are getting propaganda.

“If the Mayor wants to campaign for re-election, he should do it using his own party’s resources — not residents’ money.”

Read more:Labour’s Town Hall leader files complaint over Perry’s spending
Read more: Tory council loses £20m over Coulsdon collapsed property deal
Read more: Planning application for Westfield scheme stalled to mid-2026

• Mayor Jason Perry has refused to give a pre-election interview to Inside Croydon, where he would face questions about his record in office
• Paid-up subscribers to this website can listen to The Andrew Fisher Interview with Labour’s Rowenna Davis by clicking here 
• Andrew Fisher has also interviewed Liberal Democrat candidate Richard Howard and he will be questioning the Green Party’s Peter Underwood very soon

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