Tories will take Telford MP David Wright's seat, says Francis Maude during visit to town
[gallery] The Conservative Party is confident of claiming the Telford constituency from Labour in the forthcoming General Election, one of the Tories' big hitters has said.
During a visit to the town yesterday, Government Minister Francis Maude said the party saw the seat – held by David Wright since 2001 – as a "key target".
It is the only Labour stronghold in the county. North Shropshire, Ludlow, The Wrekin and Shrewsbury & Atcham are all in Conservative hands, as is Montgomeryshire.
Mr Maude, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General, was speaking during a visit to the Glebe Centre community centre in Wellington.
He was there to see how managers CVS had spent a £300,000 Government grant to refurbish the site so that more charities and organisations are able to use it. He was introduced to representatives from a number of charities, such as the Black History Working Group.
Mr Maude said: "Telford is a great place and I love visiting different organisations to see what people are doing with the grants we have awarded them. And it is great seeing all the different organisations working together here at the Glebe Centre.
"There is a much bigger issue in this as organisations rely on this kind of funding to help them run, and it is great that we were able to support CVS.
"I would encourage people to use these grants, and it is crucial that we start bringing it into places in Shropshire as well." Ella Sipps, CVS head of strategic development, said: "With the grant we were able to refurbish the building, and make it a better environment to work in. We have many different organisations who work here and they have all benefited.
"We are very grateful the minister was able to visit us to see what we have done."
The veteran politician also praised Conservative candidate Lucy Allan, who is hoping to win the seat in May's ballot.
"Telford is very important and Lucy is a brilliant candidate," he said. "It is great to come here and see and hear how much involvement she has in the area.
"I am hugely impressed with what she is doing for Shropshire. We are gearing up for the election and I am sure she will do well."
