David Davis was today aiming to give a fresh boost to his Conservative leadership campaign by visiting Bradford.

He will tell supporters that Bradford's "proud past and proud future" must be mirrored by the

Tory Party if it is to topple Labour.

And that the party must learn lessons from Bradford's Conservative-led council, which has won support from traditionally non-Tory voters, including

women, Muslims and young people.

It is the shadow Home Secretary's first stop on a nationwide tour to woo grassroots supporters in Britain's "great cities".

Mr Davis is to tour Bradford CCTV Control Centre at the City Hall before chatting to residents at Bradford Community Housing Trust Project in Manchester Road.

And then he will visit Mallard Court, off Ravens Terrace, where he will discuss the impact of the built environment on crime levels by PC Stephen Town, Bradford Police's Architectural Liaison Officer.

Mr Davis told the T&A: "Bradford has a proud past and, I believe, a proud future.

"Of course this city has problems - which of our great urban centres

doesn't? - but I sense a real commitment among people here to building on the solid foundations that exist in order to make things even better.

"I represent a Yorkshire constituency (Holderness and Haltemprice) in Parliament and so I know that determination is a virtue with which this

county is particularly associated.

"To win the next election the Conservative Party needs to convince people in our great cities we are on their side. "I am best placed to reach those parts of Britain the Conservative hasn't reached in years.

"Twenty years ago the Conservatives held a parliamentary seat in Bradford. We had seats in all the northern cities.

"Today we have no seats in Bradford, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester or Newcastle.

"Bradford Conservatives have made an excellent start in regaining control from a failing Labour Council but we must now build on that and win parliamentary seats.

"My visit to Bradford today sends an important signal to Conservatives in all our big cities.

"Under my leadership you will receive all the support you need to win seats in next year's local council elections and I will lead from the front in winning back Parliamentary seats in all our northern cities."

Mr Davis, who has 67 MPs, including Shipley's Philip Davies, supporting his bid to replace Michael Howard, is up against Kenneth Clarke, Liam Fox and

David Cameron. The first ballot of MPs is on Tuesday.