TORY hopefuls for Southampton’s seat have blasted Chancellor Alistair Darling’s budget, accusing him of pinching ideas and introducing a stealth tax.

Jeremy Moulton, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Southampton Test, said: “Labour inherited a healthy, growing economy and will leave office with the public finances in tatters. They have more than doubled the national debt and are set to double it again in the next 4 years. We are now spending more on debt interest than on educating our children.

“Labour have failed to outline a credible plan to tackle the deficit and by delaying the spending review until beyond the election Labour are deliberately hiding the truth from the public.

“The Chancellor promised no new tax rises but is freezing the personal allowance for income tax, a stealth tax on the lowest paid.

“There is no fresh thinking and the best ideas are ones pinched from the Conservatives, like plans for a green investment bank and axing stamp duty below £250,000 for first time home buyers.

“Labour have run out of ideas and run out of our money."