THE Swindon Labour Party has been slammed for featuring a popular West Swindon visitors’ attraction in a campaign leaflet without seeking permission.

Matt Holland, the owner of Lower Shaw Farm, was shocked to discover a Labour election leaflet featuring Shaw candidate Simon Firth standing beside a sign for Lower Shaw Farm.

Mr Firth had not asked Mr Holland’s permission to feature the farm in his campaign literature and Mr Holland was deeply concerned that the impression would be created that Lower Shaw Farm supports Labour.

Mr Holland said: “Lower Shaw Farm does not align itself to any particular political party. Its members, residents, workers, volunteers, visitors, and users all vote for a variety of different political parties.

“The Lower Shaw Farm association, and one of its key projects, the Swindon Festival of Literature, are both avowedly non-party political.”

He confessed to being “more puzzled than pleased” as to why the picture would be used without Mr Firth first asking permission.

He said it was “at best naive and well-intended and at worst, calculated and well thought out”.

He added: “Maybe we should be flattered that this seemingly nice man wanted to be seen standing beside our name sign, but actually, we are surprised, if not slightly bothered, that a local party political candidate thinks that Lower Shaw Farm can be used in this way.

“We do not know this man. We were not asked if this picture could be used in this way.”

Nobody from Labour was able to respond.