Hague greets party faithful

Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague stopped off in Shropshire to greet the party faithful and tell of his cautious optimism in the run-up to next year's General Election.

Mr Hague, speaking exclusively to the Shropshire Star last night, said, however, that the Conservatives were taking nothing for granted, despite many opinion polls putting them ahead of Labour.

The former Tory leader was in Wellington at the invitation of Wrekin Conservative MP Mark Pritchard to be guest of honour at a champagne and canape reception hosted by Peter Holt at his Orleton Hall home.

The reception was held to raise funds for the election campaign of Mr Pritchard who won the Wrekin seat from Peter Bradley in 2005 when he overturned the Labour man's majority of 3,500. Mr Pritchard has a majority of just 942 votes and Labour has identified the Wrekin seat as one of its top targets.

Mr Hague said: "My visit isn't any indication of election results. I'm here because Mark is a valued friend and colleague - and because he asked me to come."

Speaking of Mr Pritchard's chances of retaining the Wrekin seat he said: "I hope he will increase his majority but we never take anything for granted.

"Mark has established himself so well, both as a local member of Parliament who works hard for his constituents and also in Parliament where he speaks on a wide range of issues. He certainly deserves to be elected with an increased majority."

Telford MP David Wright is Shropshire's only Labour MP, with the Tories having Mr Pritchard, Owen Paterson in North Shropshire, Philip Dunne in Ludlow and Daniel Kawczynski in Shrewsbury and Atcham.