The polls may indicate his party is in for a battering, but top Tory Michael Portillo oozed confidence as he re-fuelled for the election campaign with fish and chips at Harry Ramsden's.

As the Conservatives' bandwagon rolled into the district on the first full day of campaigning, the Shadow Chancellor confirmed that a clutch of West Yorkshire seats would be key to his party's bid to regain power on June 7.

Tucking into haddock, chips and mushy peas at the world-famous Guiseley restaurant he insisted: "We can win and this election gives us the opportunity to point out the failures and broken promises of the present Government while laying out our policies.''

He added: "We are deeply committed to fighting Yorkshire seats - and think we have a very good chance. But we're determined to earn the votes of Yorkshire people.''

Mr Portillo is pictured with Mrs Iris Favell, president of Pudsey Constituency Conservative Association.

Commenting on Friday's announcement that some 470 jobs are to be lost when Saltaire-based Pace Micro Technology shuts its manufacturing plant in August, Mr Portillo said: "I was very saddened. It's a huge problem for the people involved and a very bitter time for them.

"It doesn't spell the end for anything but it is a warning for us that Britain is losing its competitiveness. Our businesses are trying to compete in a world with more red tape and higher rates of taxation.''

Meanwhile Mr Portillo confirmed his party's commitment to seeing the long-awaited Bingley Relief Road being built while questioning the timing of the recent announcement on the award of the £47.9 million contract for its construction.

He said: "The relief road got postponed and then at the 11th hour they say 'we're going to build it' but it would have been built long ago had we had a Conservative government.''

Commenting on Bradford's recent disturbances he added: "These things have to be a matter for the broadest possible partnership between communities, police, head teachers, social workers and local government, and we would set that in the context of our aspirations for a fully integrated country and absolutely unshakeable belief in equality of esteem for everyone who lives in Britain.''

Mr Portillo's tour also included a visit to Bingley-based knitting yarn manufacturing company James C Brett Ltd - where he met staff and managing director James Brett.