The Conservative Party spent more money in Wirral South than Wirral West, according to party accounts

Mar 3 2010 by Matt Hurst, Bromborough and Bebington News

THE Conservative Party spent more money in Wirral South than in any other constituency on the peninsula, according to a report based on party accounts.

But Tory candidate Jeff Clarke says he is “astonished” by the revelations, adding, “every penny I have been spending has been raised by myself”. The seat, currently held by Labour’s Ben Chapman, boasts a 3,518 vote majority but is up for grabs as Mr Chapman has announced he will not contest the forthcoming election.

According to figures uncovered by The Independent newspaper, the Conservative Party channelled £20,320 into the constituency pot of £61,669 over 2007 and 2008, eclipsing the money spent on key target, Wirral West.

It puts Wirral South in the top 52, nestling between Westmorland and Lonsdale, at 51, and Worcester, at 53.

The money is said to come from controversial Conservative peer, Lord Ashcroft, currently under scrutiny after admitting his non-domicile status.

But Jeff Clarke told Wirral News: “I can assure you I am not receiving any Ashcroft money now, if I ever was.

“This is a very important seat to the Conservatives, and it’s very important to the North West region.

“It’s a key seat and it’s vital Wirral South residents themselves have proper representation, that’s why I’m determined to work as hard as I can to make sure they have proper representation.

“It’s a very important seat, there’s no doubt about that but I’m raising all the money I receive, and don’t receive any money from any person other than residents who live in the area.”

Wirral South is number 79 on the list of Conservative targets, but the money reportedly spent in nearby Chester puts it into shade.

Currently held by Labour, with a slim majority of 973, the Conservatives are reported to have invested £222,603 over the two years – or £457 per voter it must win over.

Jeff Clarke added: “If I find a big pile of money under my bed with Lord Ashcroft written on it, I’ll let you know.”