IPSWICH Tories got a boost today just weeks before forthcoming elections as a high profile politician visited the town.David Willetts MP , shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, was at the Belstead Brook Hotel for a breakfast meeting with the area's Tory candidates and members of the town's business community.

IPSWICH Tories got a boost today just weeks before forthcoming elections as a high profile politician visited the town.

David Willetts MP , shadow secretary of state for work and pensions, was at the Belstead Brook Hotel for a breakfast meeting with the area's Tory candidates and members of the town's business community.

"I am here to support candidates in the European and local council elections on June 10. We attach a lot of importance to Ipswich.

"It is a great place and needs strong representation in Parliament and elsewhere," he said.

Mr Willetts, who is head of policy coordination for the Conservatives, said Ipswich is a target constituency for the Tories at the next general election.

"We believe we can perform strongly here as people become disaffected with Tony Blair and Labour," he said.

Hosting the meeting was Ipswich's Conservative party parliamentary candidate Paul West.

Mr West said today's visit and a visit by opposition leader Michael Howard in April was part of a campaign to turn Ipswich blue on the political map.

"We have pledged support from the shadow cabinet that Ipswich is a target seat. This meeting demonstrates that the party takes that pledge seriously," said Mr West.

"David was here this morning to listen to what people have to say about business and public services," Mr West added.