A member of the Shropshire Star’s panel of floating voters said today his vote had now swung more towards the Liberal Democrats after a day which left his opinion of Labour tainted.

Matt Spinks, an associate at Vic Johnson Design partnership Ltd in Bridgnorth, said he was still far from convinced but had taken more time this week to research different policies.

Since Gordon Brown called the General Election earlier this week Mr Spinks had been disappointed by Lab-our after hearing their tax and benefit changes would cost families £270 a year.

He said he was also concerned about who would be toughest on cleaning up Parliament after watching both the main parties bickering about their own particular stance on the issue.

Immigration statistics had also undermined Mr Brown’s “British jobs for British workers” claim this week which left Mr Spinks doubting Labour as the best possible choice come polling day on May 6 .

The 30-year-old said he was also sw- ayed after hearing almost 70 business leaders had backed Tory plans to curb a National Insurance hike but was unimpressed by the Tories amid claims their tax ideas are built on myth.

“I realise the Liberal Democrats are not going to win but if there is a hung parliament as many have predicted then they could wield a lot of power and that could be a good thing,” added Mr Spinks.

“There are several things I have heard about Labour this week that have concerned me but the Tories are not really winning over my vote at the moment either. I am still on the fence but I am swinging towards the Liberal Democrats after this first week of campaigning.”

* The Shropshire Star has retained its specially-convened Budget panel to give their impressions of the unfolding election campaign.