CONSERVATIVE candidates turned their fire on Facebook community boards for not conducting “a clean fight” in a last-minute social media push before today’s vote.

Two community boards commanding huge influence in the run-up to the local elections – each supported by more than 16,000 members – then tore into one other for failing to provide a level playing field.

Mounting concern within the Tory camp came to a head when an open letter accusing “certain key community pages” of political bias went public and was met with counter claims that some candidates were too “fragile”.

Mounting tensions within the Tory camp were made public on Tuesday in an open letter penned by Hindhead borough and Haslemere Town Council candidate Ged Hall, which was shared by Godalming and Villages Community Board.

Godalming and Villages posted his letter and a detailed response from its team of 11 admins “from a mix of political leanings” and invited comments – triggering more than 200 responses in the first few hours.

Godalming and Villages, which is a public forum with 16,900 members, added it was founded to promote free speech, because it believed Godalming community board, a closed forum with 16,500 members, was “controlled by primarily Conservative council supporters”

Godalming community board responded: “We welcome healthy debate at election time.”

Mr Hall, who had been blocked by Godalming and Villages until 6pm on election day, was reinstated yesterday (May 1). The local Tory association has reported an obscene post to Surrey Police.

*See May 2 Haslemere Herald for full story