A councillor has been criticised for asking residents to fund his re-election campaign in County Durham.

Craig Martin, member for North Lodge ward near Chester-le-Street, sent letters to residents last week calling for donations of £10 or above to help print campaign and community leaflets. 

He said: “I’m up against politicians funded by big business and trade unions. I have cut my work hours to ensure I can combine my work as your councillor with my duties as a dad to my son Cedric. To ensure I can keep working for our area I need your help.”

Liberal Democrat councillor Martin said he has had “the biggest response I've ever received” following his donation plea. And he invited residents to support his campaign by putting up posters or delivering leaflets during the Local Elections in May 2025.

(Image: Cllr Craig Martin) “I hope you’ll feel I made good on my promise to work hard all year round, not just at election time,” he added.

“Every £1 donated will be used to print the much-loved FOCUS community newsletters. This is the principal way I maintain contact with my residents and remain accountable to the people who elected me. I already pay for most of my local campaigning out of my own pocket, but I'm proud to enjoy donations from my supporters that help me reach even more people.”

However, his request has been met with fury from Independent councillors in Chester-le-Street, who said Cllr Martin’s plea was “unbelievable”. 

 

A joint statement from Bill Moist, Paul Sexton and Karen Fantarrow read: “We’ve now been asked a number of times by North Lodge residents, ‘Why did I get this begging letter from my councillor?’. 

“We are shocked, a local politically funded councillor asking for donations from his residents to help him make up his family income after reducing his working hours?

“We Independent councillors wanted to clear up any misunderstanding, we are not funded by anyone, we don’t do this for the money. Although all councillors do get an allowance, which I have to say is not generous when you consider the commitment required. But that is the choice and cost of representing your residents and fighting for our town.

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“We produce and deliver our own leaflets (full colour) at our own expense. We combine our council work with our other commitments. That is just, ‘what you do’ to represent your residents.

“Please be assured we will not be sending out any letters asking our residents for donations of money for the honour and privilege of representing our residents and their interests to the best of our ability at Durham County Council. We will keep fighting for Chester le Street.”

In May 2025, residents will go to the polls to elect 98 councillors representing 51 wards across County Durham.