TORY Parliamentary candidates have come under fire over an alleged common background in the financial sector, including the candidate for Wyre Forest.

Richard Burt, West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat Westminster hopeful, said it was part of a “very Conservative coup”.

He explained that the total number of top Tory candidates from banking and finance was 64, including seven in neighbouring constituencies.

That included Mark Garnier, Conservative candidate for Wyre Forest, a former investment banker.

It also included Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow , a former banker who worked for investment banks in London, New York and Hong Kong.

But Mr Garnier said his background in investment and finance made him the ideal choice to be Wyre Forest’s MP, given the current economic difficulties.

Mr Dunne, meanwhile, said he refuted Mr Burt’s claims and that the Conservative party chose its candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Mr Burt said: "These shocking figures expose the myth that today's Conservatives are more representative of ordinary working people.

"Instead, we are faced with a very Conservative coup. Having brought the world economy to the brink of collapse, these same bankers now want people to vote their former City chums into Government.”

He added: "What hope would we have for a fairer Britain run by these people?"

Mr Garnier explained that he left investment banking in 1999 and was then an investment manager before becoming a business consultant.

He added that his professional background was public knowledge and was a key part of his election campaign.

Mr Garnier said: “In 2001, when they were closing the hospital A&E, the man of the moment was always going to be a doctor.

“In 2010, when local unemployment is sharply up, local businesses are struggling and Wyre Forest’s local economy is looking fragile, the man of the moment has to be someone who understands economics, business and investment.

“I have 27 years experience of business, economics and investment – absolutely relevant to Wyre Forest’s current problems.”

Mr Dunne said: “I think it is unfortunate that Mr Burt has had to resort to this kind of petty politics, rather than discussing the policies on which we are standing.”