Residents of an iconic Kent building have been left feeling “insulted” after an election leaflet elsewhere in the country used it to represent Croydon.
Arlington House in Margate features on Conservative campaign literature distributed in Surrey designed to suggest the Lib Dems want to build high-rise housing.
It bears the message: “Don’t let the Lib Dems turn Leatherhead into another Croydon.”
But residents of the tower block 85 miles away on the Thanet coast say it is in fact “a fine example of brutalist architecture”.
The leaflets were distributed as part of the Tory election campaign in May for Mole Valley District Council, which is controlled by the Lib Dems.
Rosalind Dodd, who lives in Surrey but has ties to Margate, told KentOnline she was “left a little confused” when the flyer was posted through her door.
“Arlington House is a landmark in Margate and admired by many as a fine example of brutalist architecture,” she said.
“While something of a monolith, it is often photographed by professional photographers as its angular facade is visually interesting and the interiors have spectacular sea views.”
The propaganda shows an overcast and gloomy park, with three copies of Arlington House looming over it branded with the Liberal Democrats’ party logo.
Mrs Dodd added: “The photo that the Tories used does as little as possible to show its visual appeal and design - nor does its photoshopped juxtaposition with bare trees and unkempt grass.
“It suggests that Arlington House - or Croydon for that matter - is a jumbled mass of tower blocks on a wasteland.
“I'm not sure if this is more insulting to Croydon or Margate, but being very fond of Arlington House and its community, I was a little put out that the Leatherhead Tories approved and distributed this misleading flyer.”
Long-time Arlington resident Lyndon Hall said: “They’re condemning the state of Croydon, the council and run-down buildings but they’re showing a picture of a run-down building that’s not even in their own county. Why would they want to do that?
“There are buildings in Croydon that are in a much worse state than that. I know Croydon quite well.
“They’re saying that Arlington House is a terrible building similar to the ones in Croydon so I don’t think it’s fair, not at all.”
The distinctive brutalist block near Margate seafront was opened in 1963, and designed by architect’s firm Russell Diplock & Associates.
Its distinctive angled exterior means that every flat inside has a sea view.
The leaflet features Conservative candidates for Leatherhead Alan Gibbs and Tim Hall.
Neither was elected to Mole Valley District Council, but Cllr Hall is the vice-chair of Surrey County Council.
“Don’t let the Lib Dems turn Leatherhead into another Croydon, vote Conservative on Thursday 2nd May,” the pamphlet implores readers.
Leatherhead lies south of Croydon - an area historically in Surrey but made into a Borough of London in 1965.
The document bears the imprint of Alexander Fiuza, the Dorking & Horley Conservative Association’s election agent.
Mr Fiuza’s LinkedIn profile lists him as holding that position - and the same one for the Kingston & Surbiton Tory Party.
However, he has not responded to requests for comment on the campaign literature in question.
Cllr Tim Hall (Con) declined to comment, but did confirm that the leaflet was authentic.
Cllr Rob Yates (Lab), former mayor of Margate and Arlington House resident of five years, was not impressed with the pamphlet.
“Their politics is as way out as their geography,” he quipped upon seeing it.
Alan Gibbs did not respond to requests for comment, nor did Dorking & Horley Conservative Association.
