MAYOR Karen Williams has written to Bowman MP Andrew Laming asking him to keep out of the council election.
This comes after she was approached by several councillors and candidates concerned by his use of social media and direct mail in an attempt to influence votes.
"At the beginning of this election campaign I relaunched the Pledgenot2sledge campaign to try and maintain a level of respect and truth during the campaign and I am pleased to say that the vast majority of candidates have been doing just that," Cr Williams wrote to Mr Laming.
She said she had worked to build unity with all councillors and other elected representatives in and asked Mr Laming not to try to sully candidates but instead allow people to make up their own minds.
"Because of the wonderful democracy we live in, you of course are free to personally support whichever candidates you believe are worthy of being elected, but there is no need for this support to take the form of negativity or denigration towards other candidates. It unfairly reflects poorly on all elected representatives.
"My experience in local government decision making, is that despite a few may be members of political parties, it rarely, if ever, changes decision making in Redland city," she said.
Cr Williams said Mr Laming should turn his mind to federal government issues and allow the local election to be determined through a fair debate of ideas and vision.
Mr Laming responded to Cr Williams' letter by pointing out his #PartyPoliticsOutOfCouncil campaign had identified party links in three divisions and leanings in a further six.
"Upon my election in 2004 I committed to involving myself in any issue for any local at any time, regardless of level of government," he said.
"I committed to exposing party politics, never hindering a genuine independent running for council, challenging party-aligned councillors during campaigns and if no challenger is available, providing voters with a choice from both parties.
"In local government, party political affiliation is corrosive. Redlanders overwhelmingly want it eliminated from the functions of council, which is already riven with personality, without introducing additional party resources. To do nothing allows an arms race to begin, and we end up like the Gold Coast."
Division 2 candidate Callen Sorensen-Karklis said he had been accused of leaning towards the Greens on a flyer issued by Mr Laming's team.
"I am actually a former Labor party member, and have until the recent federal election always voted Labor. I have no formal ties to the Greens and never been a member. I am running as an independent," Mr Sorensen-Karklis said.
He said he had asked Mr Laming to withdraw his statements.
Division 9 candidate Adelia Berridge who was also accused of Greens links said she was running independently because she wanted a clean council and to stop Mr Laming's power in council.
"Council is about the community. There is no room for party politics in council," she said.
Cr Williams said candidates already had to declare if they belonged to a political party so the information was out there for everyone to see.