The Tory candidate for Bolton West in this year’s General Election has been criticised in the national media for answering a question planted by her husband at a town hall debate in Westhoughton.

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”.

Jackie Pearcey was a hit with viewers of a town hall debate last week, which was featured live on BBC News.

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.