Town 'pivotal' in Tory plans

Telford will be a key battleground in next month's General Election, Tory big-hitter Ken Clarke said today.

Mr Clarke made his comments in a visit to the traditional Labour stronghold – which he said was winnable for the Conservatives.

He said the seat would be "pivotal" and he believed the outcome in the town would be reflected nationally.

The Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills stopped off at lunchtime in Oakengates during a whistle-stop tour of the Midlands.

He was in town to meet Conservative Party candidate for the Telford seat, Tom Biggins, at the launch of his electoral campaign.

Mr Clarke, a former Home Secretary and Chancellor of the Exchequer under John Major, said: "I think the way Telford goes on May 6 will be a good indicator of the way the whole country goes.

"It is a pretty pivotal seat but it is very winnable. If we fail to win Telford we are not going to have a very good majority."

The Telford seat is the only one held by Labour in Shropshire, with David Wright commanding a majority of 5,406.

Mr Clarke, who went on a brief tour of shops and businesses in Oakengates during his visit, said the Tories were actively targeting Telford.

He added: "It is an election being held in the middle of one of the longest and deepest recessions we have had for some time.

"The Government is very largely responsible for the worst of what we are suffering.

"We need a young, new, Prime Minister, one who can tackle debt purposefully."

Mr Clarke claimed a hung parliament would be bad news for the country, adding: "The trouble with minority governments is people like the Liberal Democrats support you if you are doing easy things but then back off when things get difficult."

Mr Biggins, who would become Telford's first Conservative MP if he were elected next month, said: "This is an election we absolutely have to win for the good of Telford and our country."