Following the resignation, and subsequent arrest, of a Lib Dem councillor over fraud allegations, a by-election has been called for the Carshalton Central ward to be held on 28 July.
A key issue in the area has been the decision by the Liberal Democrats to sell the Lodge in Carshalton on a 125-year lease to an organisation which also has the Lib Dem MP as an unpaid director and trustee.
Local Conservatives put forward an alternative plan which would have kept the property in public hands, ensured profits from any redevelopment benefited taxpayers and delivered community value.
Unfortunately the Lib Dems refused to consider any other options and the deal went ahead without a proper public consultation.
Literature from the Liberal Democrats suggests Conservatives "Want to sell off the Lodge to the highest bidder." This is a deliberate lie. Meanwhile an extraordinary article by Lib Dem Cllr Jayne McCoy on her blog makes a number of allegations and falsely claims "Legal action has had to be taken against the Conservative libel" even though there has been no such action - and no libel.
In the name of transparency we have asked Sutton's Lib Dems to confirm that the following are entirely true:
The Lodge in Carshalton was valued by council officers at nearly £1.7million;
The Lodge was sold by the Lib Dem-controlled council to a local organisation on a 125-year lease for £600,000, more than £1m below its market value;
The Lib Dem MP for Carshalton is an unpaid director and trustee of this organisation;
The Council did not invite bids, put the Lodge on the open market or allow any other organisation from the public, private or voluntary sector the chance to make proposals on the future use of the Lodge.
While we await the new leaseholders to take control, the Lodge lies empty and is not being used as housing, office accommodation or anything of any community value.
Conservatives believe in complete transparency, especially when valuable public assets are involved. Unfortunately our opponents resort to lies when what we all deserve is the truth.
There is a better way: vote Conservative on 28 July and make sure a clear message is sent that Carshalton taxpayers must never again be treated with such contempt.