Tory party 'bought like a banana republic'
MONEY from billionaire Lord Ashcroft has been spent to try to win the Cleethorpes constituency for the Conservatives, it has been revealed.
Liberal Democrat leaders today said the Tory party had been bought like a "banana republic" by the businessman from Belize.
It was revealed £10,943 was given to the Cleethorpes' Conservative Party to contest the marginal seat in the forthcoming General Election by Lord Ashcroft.
The Cleethorpes seat, which takes in Immingham and Waltham as well as the resort, is 56th on the Tory hit list of marginal seats they must win to take power in government.
As reported, he was forced to admit to avoiding tax on his £1.1-billion fortune, much of which is kept off-shore and on most of which he does not pay tax to Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs.
Cllr Martin Vickers, the prospective parliamentary candidate for Cleethorpes for the Conservative party, said the party funding had been donated two years ago from Tory Central Office, supported by a number of donors.
Money was spent on leaflets.
Cllr Vickers said: "Cleeth- orpes did receive some funds from Central Office two years ago but since then has not received anything and has stood on its own feet over the last 18 months. But Cleethorpes is not going to turn on whether Lord Ashcroft paid for a few leaflets."
Liberal Democrat prospective candidate for the Great Grimsby constituency, Cllr Andrew De Freitas said: "There was more than £5-million nationally. It is obscene. There must be questions asked about where this money has been used to help the Tory party and whether or not it has been used in areas with marginal seats, for example Cleethorpes. Some could have ended up in Grimsby if there was a shared leaflet."
He echoed his party's shadow Home Secretary Chris Hune who said: "The Conservatives' biggest donor is a tax-dodger from Belize who has not paid a penny of British tax on the vast bulk of his estimated £1.1-billion fortune held offshore.
"The Tory party has been bought like a banana republic."
7 Comments
by Anthony, Cleethorpes
Thursday, March 04 2010, 5:56PM
“Lord Ashcroft has my vote, if I could avoid taxes I would, we are truly overtaxed in this Country, the nanny state has to be paid for, long live a bit of freedom from this incidious all controlling Government. Nothing much has been said about the Labour non-doms, stinks really, just petty party politics again. The so called Lord Meddlesome a truly failed politician, should just creep away and be quiet, do us all a big favour.”
by Grimster, Grimsby
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 5:37PM
“Oh well, the Vickers Police are out in force. Shame.”
by CRATCHET, HLC.
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 5:10PM
“So if unelected "Bully" McBroon and the dishonest Lord Mandy Meddleson could attract a "non-dom" with seemingly endless amounts of cash to give to the party and its followers they would turn him down due to high morals and even higher patriotism.....I wouldn't bet on it, pots and kettles anyone ?”
by CleeGrammarBoy, SE England
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 4:29PM
“I hope that Lord Ashcroft's £££'s will succeed in displacing your present Blair-Babe”
by Bernard, Sth Killingholme.
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 4:11PM
“Mr De Freitas really should think before he opens his mouth.
Firstly i think a man who went to the council tax payers saying that tax would have to be increased and then used this money to GAMBLE with in Iceland has no right to criticise, in fact a decent man would have resigned his position for such incompetence.
Also i think before any accusations of a "Banana republic" would be looked on as very hypocritical if the Lib Dems and Labour did the decent thing and came clean about their donors tax status's.
Mr De Freitas your record in local government will certainly stand you in good stead if by some kind of fluke you get elected, plenty of money to be wasted there.”
by George, cleethorpes
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 3:57PM
“Whether the money was given two years ago or not, it is still wrong, however smiling Martin would not think so. Even after all these years you still cannot trust the tories. Tax cuts for the rich and no help for the poor that's their policies”
by Chris GY, Grimesby
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 3:12PM
“The Tory Party Has Been Bought Like A Banana Republic.
Seems quite apt really when you see how many tinpot chinless dictators they've had over the years.
Bit rich coming from De Freitas though, but I'm sure he'll recognize the words 'tinpot dictator' they should be tattooed on his rear end.”