Labour and the Liberal Democrats were both outspent by independent candidates in their failed campaigns to become Devon and Cornwall's first police and crime commissioner, the Western Morning News can reveal.
Ten candidates – including six independents – stood for the landmark election in November, which the Government pledged would usher in a new era of transparency in local policing.
The poll was eventually won by Conservative candidate Tony Hogg, who spent £26,292 on his campaign, including £20,005 on leaflets, aided by donations of £28,064.
But analysis of expenses filed by the candidates has shown that both Labour and the Liberal Democrats invested less in the campaign than UKIP and several independents.
Former Lib Dem Devon County Council leader Brian Greenslade, who stood as an independent, was second in the spending list with £12,252 – a bill which included £8,266 on advertising.
UKIP candidate Robert Smith spent £6,787 while independent William Morris, who forked out £2,332 on transport and £2,006 on advertising, laid out a total of £6,524.
Labour, and its candidate Plymouth City councillor Nicky Williams, was only fifth in the list, with £4,399, while the Lib Dems were seventh having spent a lowly £2,552.
Lib Dem candidate Brian Blake, a former police officer, said his chances of being elected were affected by the party's late decision to stand a candidate. It had originally decided not to contest the election.
"Not all constituency parties in Devon and Cornwall agreed with the election, which was a bit like putting your head in the sand," Mr Blake said. "Nevertheless contributions were asked for from each constituency and, as I recall, some did give money and others didn't. Some MPs contributed and (Torbay MP) Adrian Sanders leant me his team up there."
Mr Blake said the lack of financial and constituency support "limited" him in getting his "message" out. Admitting that £2,552 was "not that much", he said it also impacted on the result, although not the eventual outcome.
He added: "I'm certain that with only 800 votes between me, Brian Greenslade and Nicky Williams, I could have come second although whether I could have overcome Tony Hogg's support in the second round, I very much doubt it." Independent candidate Graham Calderwood, a solicitor from West Cornwall, spent £3,878 on the election but lost his deposit of £5,000 after failing to secure 5% of the vote. Plymouth businessman Tam MacPherson, who spent £997, also lost his deposit.
Another independent, Ivan Jordan, from Exeter, filed expenses of £2,398, while the least, £883, was spent by former police authority chairman John Smith.
The spending limit for the election in Devon and Cornwall was £233,281. The figures are due to be published on the internet in the coming months, the Electoral Commission said. They are available to be inspected, by appointment, at Cornwall Council's offices in Liskeard.
