WIRRAL SOUTH MP Ben Chapman diplomatically brought Labour Party supporters and business people together for a birthday party to celebrate his first anniversary as the MP who helped bring down the Conservative Government.

Guest of honour at the birthday bash in The Grange, Thornton Hough, was Minister for Sport, Tony Banks but a few businessmen expressed surprise that the atmosphere was so politically charged. "It appeared the night was in aid of party funds," they told the Globe.

However, the former diplomat-cum-MP was a happy chappy and perfect host as he told the audience how exactly a year ago that night, he won the Tory seat to leave the Conservatives with a minority Government, so forcing a General Election.

The hard working MP told how Wirral became the centre of media attention during the Wirral South by-election caused by the death of Barry Porter, from stomach cancer, cutting the Government majority to just one.

At The Grange, Mr Chapman, who lives in Lower Heswall told this anecdote: "I remember being interviewed by a radio journalist from Finland during the busy campaign and wondered what I could say to interest his listeners. I asked about a countryman of his who I had once met as a diplomat. 'He is now our Prime Minister!' came the reply."

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