Labour criticised the move by telling the BBC: “It’s very disappointing that the Conservative Party feel the need to drop in a candidate’s spouse into the audience to ask a question while passing themselves off as a member of the public.”

The row has escalated and Tory chiefs will be fearing that it may overshadow their candidate’s performance.

Those on Twitter have been commenting on her performance. One described her as “haughty and superior” and another said “Tory candidate looks as if she can’t be a****”.

Jackie Pearcey, the Lib Dem candidate, was however described as “a lovely lady and a great local campaigner” and she was lavished praise for doing a “great job”.

The Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Bolton West answered questions at the TV debate in Westhoughton’s Carnegie Hall. The debate was hosted by Gavin Estler, the BBC Newsnight presenter.

Youngsters from Westhoughton High School were in the audience. When asked which of the candidates they preferred, they said that Jackie Pearcey’s Liberal Democrats had the best policies.

Jackie won the greatest applause from the ‘studio’ audience, many of whom were from Westhoughton. She won applaud for saying voters should be listening to the policies that the parties have to offer rather than the parading of politicians’ wives by Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

Jackie said: “The debate was a first for Bolton West and I was very proud to have been able to put across my views to the people who will be choosing their next MP. People are fed up with the same old and tired politics of Labour and the Tories, and this event has thrown the doors open to a three-horse race. If you like what I said, and you want me as your MP, vote for it. This is the year that we can make a real difference.”

Jackie’s TV showing was boosted by the first TV Leaders’ Debate, in which Nick Clegg topped the debate for the Lib Dems. A Chancellors’ Debate saw Lib Dem Vince Cable as the star of the show too.

Jackie Pearcey is seeking election for the Bolton West constituency on Thursday, 6th May. Polls are open from 7am until 10pm.

Jackie Pearcey talks to local residents

Jackie Pearcey believes she can be a strong voice for Bolton West.

Lib Dem Jackie is calling on Westhoughton people to back real change this year and elect her as the representative Bolton West so badly needs.

Residents have told Jackie that they were less than impressed with Labour’s last high-profile MP. They are turning to the Lib Dems this year as they know they work hard locally, and would like to see them represent a fresh new start to help clear up the dirty politics of Westminster.

Jackie said: “People are tired of greedy MPs. Now is our chance to make a real difference in Bolton West.”

“I have been working alongside Councillor Julia Silvester so that I can campaign for Westhoughton nationally.”

Jackie talks to a local resident

Jackie Pearcey, the woman who wants to represent Bolton West in Parliament, has been meeting and greeting Westhoughton residents to find out what matters to them most.

Lib Dem Jackie has been talking to residents across the constituency. She wants to represent the area as an MP who would be firmly rooted in the community, not just someone that disappears into the Westminster village.

Asked what is the topic on everyone’s lips right now, Jackie said: “It’s the economy!”

“I’d like to thank the residents of Bolton West for their very warm reception when I’ve been calling on round,” Jackie added.

“There’s no doubt as to what the biggest issue is, it’s the economy.  From people who are worried about whether their children will be able to get an education, get on the housing ladder or even get a job, to people worried about their own job prospects and who are unable to get a mortgage or any sort of credit on reasonable terms, to pensioners who see no prospect of their savings ever earning more than a pittance on interest and whose pensions are at risk.

“The sad fact is that between the Conservatives having deregulated our economy to the point where it’s hard to tell the difference between a high street bank and a casino and Labour selling off the family silver the economic outlook is bleak and everybody knows it.  in fact everybody seems to know it except the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Shadow Chancellor who really think that they can kid people that everthing is fine until the polls close.

“What is clear from what you are saying on the doors is that the public have a better appreciation of the mess that we’re in than either of the two main parties.  I’ve been impressed at how many people have namechecked Vince Cable as the most sensible chioce to be our next Chancellor.

“In seats like Bolton West, we have the chance to make sure that can happen.”

Image supplied by Ordnance Survey Election Maps Service. Image reproduced with the permission of Ordnance Survey. © Crown Copyright 2010

You have said it yourself, and you know it’s true – Westhoughton is forgotten.

Hundreds of residents from our hard-working community have got in touch with JULIA SILVESTER – the councillor fighting for a better deal for everyone who lives in Westhoughton South ward.

Councillor Julia Silvester

Julia conducted a survey of the community and the results are still flooding in.

Julia’s work is supported by fellow councillor David Wilkinson.

Locally-based Julia says that 2010 is the time for a real change if you are fed up with our area being treated second-rate.

Julia said: “This year is our chance to make a real difference. I know our area very well and I know the issues we are all facing together. I want to do something about it.” But Julia and David are not alone in their fight for our area.

They are joined by JACKIE PEARCEY who wants to represent you in Parliament. She’s tired of greedy MPs and fed up with Labour backing bankers and not the people.

Jackie said: “This year will be crucial. If you really want to boot Labour out of their cushy halls of power for good, then a vote for the Lib Dems is needed.”

“The Lib Dems are the only party to make such a strong commitment to wiping out the dirty politics we have all seen before our eyes.”

Jackie Pearcey is our Parliamentary Candidate for Bolton West.

Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats have announced they will fight the General Election on four key principles, designed to make Britain a fairer place.

PPC for Bolton West, Jackie Pearcey, has today set out  her campaign priorities: fair taxes; a fair start for every child; fair, clean and local politics and a fair, green economy with jobs that last.

Jackie said: “People in Westhoughton have been let down by their politicians and are rightly frustrated. I am going into the election with a clear direction and a manifesto that is short, direct and to the point.

“We will introduce fairer taxes by closing loopholes for the richest, introducing a tax on mansions and tax cuts of £700 for everyone else.

“If your child is at school in Bolton West, we can promise investment to help reduce class sizes, improve discipline and develop one-to-one tuition.

“We would also give you the right to sack your MP. The Liberal Democrats are the only party committed to real change of our political system, flushing out big money and corrupt donors and reducing the number of MPs by 150.

“And we will rebuild the economy in every part of Britain in a way that promotes green technology and creates lasting jobs. We will put an end to casino banking, bring back competition and support local entrepreneurs to make sure Bolton West businesses can find the money they need to grow.

Jackie Pearcey, Parliamentary Candidate for Bolton West

“The coming months are a crucial time for politics and I will be using them to focus on these four priorities and delivering real change for Bolton West.”

In his speech this morning (Monday), Leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg said: “David Cameron and Gordon Brown are playing the politics of the airbrush and the focus group.

“One doesn’t know what he believes. The other doesn’t know what to do with the power he clings to so desperately.

“I believe the country wants something different. The Liberal Democrats are different. We offer credibility where it’s needed. And hope for our common future.”

Gordon Brown: on his last legs?

Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Bolton West Jackie Pearcey has called for the Government to “just go.”

“Last week’s attempt to oust Gordon Brown shows that this is a Government on its last legs.  Had the plotters succeeded, we’d either have Harriet Harman in Downing Street or somebody new elected just in time for a General Election.  Instead, we have a terminally weakened Prime Minister.”

“It is time to give the people a say.  They should call the General Election without any further delay.”

The election day is still expected to be on 6th May, and it is thought Gordon Brown will try to hold out right until the end despite attempts to remove him from power.

Parliamentary Candidate Jackie Pearcey with Lib Dem campaigner Derek Gradwell at Fell Foot Meadow in 2009

Work has started on a promised play area for the Summerfields Estate .

Housing developers Barratts and Wimpey had agreed to build a joint play area as part of the development of Madison Park and Fell Foot Meadow.

However, the site was not usable as Wimpey had left their site completely flat, and Barratt had left a considerable amount of material piled up, and grass over.

This led to an 18-month delay before any work really started.

The Liberal Democrat team had to push Bolton’s Labour-run Council before the developers moved out of the area completely.

Westhoughton North campaigner Derek Gradwell said: “It has been a long struggle to get the council to take action against the developers, but finally now we are seeing some progress.”

Derek’s team is continuing to lobby the council to get them to push developers into completing the play area and open space, including the landscaping.

The police post in Westhoughton

Councillor Jackie Pearcey, Liberal Democrat PPC for Bolton West, has hit out at reports that up to 300 jobs will be lost at Greater Manchester Police to balance the books.

Jackie said: “Last year, on the City Council, I raised the question as to whether or not there was a hole in the GMP budget and was assured by the Chair of the Police Authority that there was no funding gap.  Now it seems that they are £5 million overspent.

“The police are thinly stretched as it is.  Freezing recruitment will result in less police on the streets and will harm the fight against crime.”

A sample ID card

The introduction of ID cards has been slammed once again by Jackie Pearcey, the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Bolton West.

Jackie has called for the Government to scrap the proposed ID Card pilot for Greater Manchester.  Just 2,400 residents of the region have expressed an interest, which is less than 0.4% of the population.

Jackie said: “The lack of people registering an interest in taking part in the pilot shows that this ID card scheme is unwelcome.  Such a low percentage would also make it useless.  There is no point pouring yet more public money down the drain in trying to get local residents to take part, when it is unwanted.  The ID Card should stop here.”