THE Conservatives are "parachuting" more candidates into Merseyside than any of the other parties. Of the people selected as potential MPs most of them live outside Merseyside, some as far afield as London, Middlesex, and Kent. Liverpool television personality Esther McVey and Southport town centre manager Mark Bigley are the Tories' two best hopes.. They are also locally based. However, Liverpool has not had a Conservative MP since 1983, when the party lost both Wavertree and Garston. Then Anthony Steen, who had represented Wavertree since 1974, was beaten by Labour. Now Mr Steen's son Jason, born in Liverpool when his father was MP, is standing in the constituency, even though he now lives in London. Riverside candidate Gabrielle Howatson's father was brought up in Liverpool. She now lives in London, while Peter Garrett was born in Merseyside, but lives in Warwickshire. Walton hopeful Sharon Buckle, who lives in Nottingham, and Garston candidate Amber Rudd, who lives in Kensington, London, have no links with Merseyside. In Bootle, the party's candidate Dr Wafik Moustafa is a family doctor from Ealing, London. Halton's Conservative hopeful, Colin Cromarty Bloom lives in Brickley, Kent. Warrington North candidate Andrew Ferryman lives in the Midlands, while Knowsley North's Naman Purewal is a party activist in Middlesex. The practice of "parachuting" in candidates is used to give newcomers election experience. Conservative Party North West spokesman Chris Davenport said: "This is something that happens with all the parties. It's not uncommon for candidates to live elsewhere, but that does not mean they will not be good MPs when they are elected. "Jack Straw is not from Blackburn and John Prescott is from Ellesmere Port, but represents a seat across the country. I am sure there will be Merseysiders standing in seats far away from this area." larryneild@dailypost.co.uk | 
