Ludlow candidates united in condemnation after political posters defaced

The move, in the Ludlow constituency, followed at least two of Conservative candidate Philip Dunne's billboards being scrawled with graffiti, one on the B4378 between Brockton and Bourton, and another on the B4368 Corvedale Road near Craven Arms.

On the latter someone had scrawled the word "nothing" under Mr Dunne's name. Both acts have been reported to the police.

Officers are also investigating similar reports of vandalism in other parts of the the region.

More than 50 Conservative signs were removed in Montgomeryshire, and on Friday 23 signs were damaged along the A488, between Lea Cross and Pontesford in the parish of Pontesbury.

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Now Mr Dunne, Lib Dem Charlotte Barnes, Ukip's David Kelly and Labour's Simon Slater have signed a statement saying: "Vandalism of election material is the equivalent of trying to shout down your opponent in a debate.

"If you believe in freedom of speech, permit candidates to speak their piece, and allow voters to make up their own minds. If you don't agree with a candidate or party, don't deface their material. Use the most powerful weapon at your disposal to say so – use your vote."

In Montgomeryshire, signs promoting Conservative candidate Glyn Davies were taken from private property, including roadside hedgerows and fields.

Mr Davies, who is fighting to retain his seat in Parliament, said: "It's a shame for the party volunteers who help us do this through raising the funds to buy the posters and the trouble to put them up.

"The ones that have gone were all taken under cover of darkness, which is so cowardly."

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