A LABOUR cabinet member has urged voters in Bolton West to keep the Conservatives out so the bedroom tax can be kicked into touch.

Labour's shadow environment secretary Maria Eagle visited Brazley Community Centre in Horwich on Saturday to support Julie Hilling's election campaign, adding that if Labour wins the election, the party will "immediately abolish the bedroom tax."

Ms Eagle also slammed David Cameron and his party who "do not live in the real world" when it comes to the lives of working class people.

Ms Hilling, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Bolton West, recorded a slim 92-vote majority over the Conservatives at the last election.

Ms Eagle said: "I know from speaking to Julie how hard people in Bolton have been hit by the bedroom tax.

"The Tories do not live in the real world — they are totally out of touch. The more I listen to stories from my constituency the more I realise just how important this election is.

"I think the biggest message we can send out to people is to make sure they get out and vote for Julie to keep the Tories out."

Ms Eagle also pledged that voters in Bolton would be rewarded by Labour's plans to abolish the unpopular bedroom tax and reduce the amount of people who rely on food banks.

She said: "We have to tackle this in the next Labour government — we will get rid of the bedroom tax and get a grip on benefits administration, such as putting a stop to sanctioning so that people then fall behind with their bills and can't afford to buy food.

"The latest figures show that almost one million people have used food banks — and 30 per cent of them are in work, so this myth from David Cameron that work is the best way out of poverty is wrong – it is due to things like low pay, zero hours contracts and the bedroom tax."

Ms Hilling was elected in 2010, taking over from former Labour front bencher Ruth Kelly, who held the seat from 1997.

She said: "I am optimistic that the Bolton voters are going to recognise that we need a Labour government this time and that I have been a good MP for them by consistently raising their issues in Parliament. Our big task this week is that people come out and use their votes.

"My constituents have suffered over the last five years — it's been devastating for many of them and I want to change things for the better."

Labour candidate Julie Hilling is being challenged in Bolton West by Conservative Chris Green, Liberal Democrat Andrew Martin, UKIP candidate Bob Horsefield, John Vickers of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, and independent candidate Andy Smith.