A LIST of Dorset and New Forest small businesses signed a hotly-debated letter voicing support for the Conservative Party.

The letter to the Daily Telegraph, signed by 5,000 people in small businesses, warned that a change in government would be “far too risky”.

It prompted a controversy when it emerged that the Conservative Party had been collecting the signatures itself, from a members’ area of its website, and that the author of the document was ‘CCHQ admin’ – the party’s central office.

The letter said the Tory-led government had been “genuinely committed to making sure Britain is open for business”.

It added: “A change now would be far too risky and would undo all the good work of the last five years.”

Robert Rutherford, CEO of Bournemouth IT consultancy, was among those signing the appeal to vote Conservative.

“I feel that they’re the most focused on promoting business and business growth,” he added.

Peter Valinski, director of the war gaming shop Entoyment in Parkstone’s Ashley Road, said: “Certainly the government has helped make Entoyment possible.”

He added: “I feel great confidence in David Cameron and the drive he has to support entrepreneurs both large and small and am concerned about the survival of small business under Labour.”

Joanne Tomlin, company secretary with Meridian Lifts in Poole, said the business had benefited from a freeze in fuel duty, incentives to hire apprentices and forthcoming reform in corporation tax.

“Whilst austerity is required to balance the books and strengthen the country’s financial position in the world, I believe the Conservatives have done the best under difficult circumstances to assist small businesses,” she said.

Labour's shadow business secretary, Chuka Umunna, said of the letter: “The Tories have spent five years letting down Britain’s small businesses.

“Government scheme after government scheme designed to boost finance for small firms has failed, and small business lending has fallen by £500m in the last three months.”

Other local signatories included: Adam Greenwood, managing director of Bournemouth-based IADigital; former Conservative MP Ian Bruce of Ian Bruce Associates; David Carey, owner of Inspire Career Consultancy in Wimborne; Oscar Bicket, director of Lymington Web Design; John Peek, chairman of Christchurch party store Peeks; Colin Wetherall, chief executive of House and Son Property Consultants in Bournemouth; Robert Wilson, owner and managing director of Penton Motor Group; David Bridgen, director of South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park South West; Lynda Blake, director of Sureweld Fabrications in Bournemouth; and Nigel Butler, managing director of Town and Country Communications in Bournemouth.