Daffodils seen as 'too political'

Mrs Jewess wanted to thank staff for helping her with her family tree

A woman from Kent has been banned from taking daffodils into the Civic Centre in Strood during the election period because they are "politically biased".

Staff told Valerie Jewess from Sittingbourne they could not display her flowers as yellow is the colour associated with the Liberal Democrats.

Mrs Jewess said the decision was "idiotic" as she only wanted to thank staff for helping her.

Medway Council apologised for carrying out their guidelines "too literally".

It is just unbelievable that flowers have now become a political tool Valerie Jewess

But a spokesman added that the council, who runs the archives section in the Civic Centre, must make sure staff are politically impartial.

An apology was offered to Mrs Jewess for any distress caused.

Mrs Jewess, who is a passionate gardener, said she had taken flowers nearly every week for staff at the Medway Archives Centre to thank them for helping her trace her family tree and to brighten up the place.

But she was told the daffodils were no longer allowed as yellow is the campaign colour of the Lib Dems

She said: "I was just amazed they could say they were not politically correct.

"It is just unbelievable that flowers have now become a political tool.

"I said I might bring some red flowers the following week but one of the staff said I seemed to be a rebel without a cause."