THE Conservative Party’s Bradford campaign started in earnest today with three Tory hopefuls setting their sights on the three current Labour seats.

George Grant, is standing in Bradford West for the second time and is confident in gaining votes from Labour and UKIP.

Tanya Graham, who is standing in Bradford South is also a veteran of the 2015 campaign, while newcomer Mark Trafford is hoping for victory in Bradford East.

Supporting the three candidates was Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, senior Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

She said: “I am excited and hopeful. If you look at the polls anything is possible and we don’t see why we should think of Bradford as being off limits.”

Bradford South Tory candidate Ms Graham, who stood and lost against Judith Cummins in 2015 said she was hopeful.

“I am delighted to be back on the campaign trail and taking the fight back to Judith. People I have spoken to up to now have been positive and many are offering their support.

“I was second in the 2015 election and successfully pushed UKIP into third place after it was believed they would do better.

“This time I believe people are coming back to us.”

Bradford West candidate Mr Grant said he was confident he would gain much more support despite losing out to Labour’s Naz Shah in Bradford West two years ago.

“I believe we will gain meaningful votes across all of Bradford based on a clean campaign and pledges, such as a £9 minimum wage.

“Last time when I campaigned in Bradford West the votes went up from two-and-a-half thousand to over six thousand.

“We again will be taking votes from UKIP.

Newcomer Mr Trafford, a London-based QC, was chosen to stand for Bradford East earlier this week.

“I am looking forward to being able to advocate in parliament for the residents of Bradford East.

“With my skills as a Queen’s Counsel I will be able to fight for them and negotiate the best deals following Brexit.

“Bradford is a very business-based city and it is important it has a voice and is heard.”

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