“If you do not take action, your mayoral council tax will rise by 21.2%”, the letter, branded with a fake coat of arms bearing the words “City Hall” states.
The letter falsely claims that London’s mayor is “set to” increase his share of the council tax, raising the overall cost.
It then urges voters to sign an online petition to “Stop Khan’s Council Tax Hike”.
Sharing photos of the letter on Twitter, Liberal Democrat mayoral candidate Luisa Porritt said: “This is a heartless, cheap trick to play at a time so many Londoners are worried sick about making ends meet.”
Tweeting directly at Mr Bailey, she said: “You should apologise immediately for the distress your act of desperation will cause. This is inappropriate behaviour from someone standing for Mayor.”
Mr Bailey’s campaign defended the flyer campaign, in a statement to The Independent, with a spokesperson saying that “Londoners have a right to know the full facts. And the fact is Sadiq Khan’s planning to hike his share of council tax.”
“Since 2016, the Mayor racked up £9.56 billion in wasteful spending at TfL. That’s why TfL needed two bailouts in the space of a few months.
“According to the Transport for London Settlement Letter, Sadiq Khan himself proposed raising his share of council tax to pay for the cost of his mismanagement.
Mr Khan, at a recent Mayor’s Question Time, would not rule out raising council tax, but suggested that it would only be necessary to fill a TfL funding gap which central government has not plugged.
Mr Khan’s office has not immediately responded to a request for comment.
Journalist Michael Crick condemned the flyer campaign online, writing that it stood out as “one of the most underhand election leaflets I’ve seen in 40 years covering British politics”.
“No wonder politicians are so distrusted,” Mr Crick wrote in a tweet. “Those involved should be deeply ashamed.”
