HARLOW will be the Conservatives’ key battleground in the forthcoming General Election, according to party chairman Eric Pickles.
The Brentwood and Ongar MP described the town as "the one that got away" when he visited Harlow on Tuesday to support local Tory candidate Robert Halfon’s ele
Eric Pickles and Robert Halfon
"Harlow is where the battle-ine will be drawn by the Conservatives," he told the Star. "In terms of the key marginal seats, this is our number one target.
"This is the one that got away, the one that the Conservatives feel a sense of guilt for letting slip through our fingers the last time round.
"We couldn’t have a better candidate than Robert, he is Mr Harlow. He has worked tirelessly for the benefit of the town’s residents and I know he will make a tremendous MP."
Mr Pickles dismissed reports that Labour and the Tories were almost neck and neck in the race to secure marginal seats across the country.
"The reports showed that we are six per cent ahead of where we were five years ago and I have every faith the people of Harlow realise now is the time for change."