THE gloves were off as the general election campaign in South West Surrey got off to an acrimonious start this week, with Conservative and Labour candidates accusing Liberal Democrat hopeful Simon Cordon of making "negative personal attacks" in campaign literature. The object of their wrath was a leaflet entitled Church School News, which Tory Jeremy Hunt and Labour's Tom Sleigh both allege gave the impression that it was a church school newsletter. On the front, the leaflet carried the claim that the Conservatives were trying to save face after an "embarrassing admission" by their new candidate that a claim he made over Lib Dem policy on church schools was false. A headline from a report in The Herald on the schools issue was reproduced and, also without The Herald's permission, a copyright logo bearing the paper's name. On the back was a list of claims that "the new Tory got his facts wrong" - not only over church schools but also Farnham Hospital, the Hindhead Tunnel, Waverley action on drugs problems and, most controversially, Milford Hospital. Mr Hunt has issued a statement, refuted getting any of the claimed facts wrong and, concerning Milford Hospital, commented: "The Liberal Democrat candidate had previously agreed not to attack any other candidates over their support for the campaign to keep Milford Hospital open. This agreement has been breached by his comments, which will now endanger the cross-community campaign." Tom Sleigh spoke of "nasty, negative and personal politics" and said he had written to Charles Kennedy "detailing these infringements of decent campaigning", and called for him to sack his parliamentary candidate He added that if Mr Cordon really cared about Milford Hospital, "he'd stop using it as a political toy". Mr Cordon, meanwhile, was standing by all the claims in the newsletter, which he said carried a bold imprint making clear that it was published by the Liberal Democrats. He spoke of his actions to save Milford Hospital dating back to 2001, when he raised a 6,000 signature petition. "My record on Milford Hospital is clear and people know it and I think it is fascinating and flattering that the candidates are working together to try to attack me on the health service. "The question has to be asked why a Labour candidate in a seat like this would be putting out a press release defending a Conservative. That is bizarre beyond belief."
