Tories look to Labour’s heartlands

Monday 26th April 2010, 1:39PM BST.

Labour heartlands in the West Midlands, together-with Liberal Democrat supporters, came on to the Tory radar today as David Cameron stepped up his bid to win the keys to Number 10.

The Tories face a close fight with the Lib Dems in marginal constituencies.

Mr Cameron believes Labour is losing support in areas where it has traditionally returned MPs in the wake of the Liberal Democrats’ surge in the polls – making a Conservative win possible.

But Labour said there was “no evidence whatsoever” to support the claims.

Its campaign coordinator Douglas Alexander said key battlegrounds were “back in play for us” because of the rise in Lib Dem support.

Firing the starting gun for an offensive on two fronts, Mr Cameron rallied Tory activists to throw their “energies” into areas with healthy Labour majorities, declaring them “up for grabs”.

And he made a pitch to woo Lib Dem voters, promising a “more Liberal Britain” under his leadership.

In a speech in central London, Mr Cameron said only a strong Conservative government offered a “clean break” with the past.

His call came as the latest polls put the Tories ahead – but still pointed to a hung parliament, with the party short of an overall majority.

View more: Election 2010 news.