Wirral Conservatives hit by “debt collector” smear
Leah Fraser
A PRE-ELECTION spat has broken out between Tories and Labour in Wirral, after it was revealed the Conservatives are being bankrolled by a debt collector.
Wallasey Labour Party has accused their Conservative rivals of using funds by local solicitor Thomas Higgins to "buy victory at the General Election".
But the Conservatives instantly hit back, accusing Wallasey Labour Party of "smear" tactics.
According to details held by the Electoral Commission, the Wallasey Conservative Party has received around £50,000 from Mr Higgins since 2002, whose Wallasey-based company, The Thomas Higgins Partnership – Business Debt Collection Solicitors, boasts: "Since 1980, we have been entrusted by our clients with the collection of over £10,000,000,000."
The Conservatives have been waging a strong campaign for the Wallasey seat, which Angela Eagle won in 2005 by 9,109 votes.
Labour’s agent in Wallasey, Anne McArdle, said: "Up and down the country, Tory candidates are trying to buy victory at the General Election with money from tax exiles or from big business donors like Thomas Higgins.
"In Wallasey, we have seen how his money is helping Leah Fraser pay for glossy leaflets, flyers and expensive mailings. It gives the Tories an unfair advantage but money won’t buy the people of Wallasey and I am confident they will see through this."
Last night, Thomas Higgins said: "I am very proud to support Wallasey Conservative Party and Leah Fraser. I want to see an MP returned to Parliament who is Wallasey born and bred and Wallasey through and through.
"Angela Eagle is a good Parliamentarian, but during her 18 years in the job she has not brought much to Wallasey itself. She does not have that passion for a place of birth.
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