CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron launched his party’s campaign in the North West in Bolton yesterday by dropping in at one of the country’s leading bakeries.

Mr Cameron visited the Warburton’s plant in Britannia Way, where he met staff and took questions from workers in the distribution warehouse.

The Tory leader flew up from London after locking horns Gordon Brown at Prime Minister’s Question Time in Parliament, then dashed off to Cardiff last night to continue his campaign.

Attacking the Government’s plans to raise National Insurance contributions from next year, he said: “This is wrong for three reasons.

“Firstly, it will mean employers have to pay more, so it will cost more to employ someone, which will lead to less jobs being made available.

“Secondly, the plan is to increase the contributions to those earning more £20,000. I don’t think these people are that rich.

“Thirdly, the values do not add up. The Government says it will cut £11 billion next year. Why not cut it now?”

Bosses at Warburtons, Mr Cameron said, had already given their backing to the Conservatives because of the planned rises.

He was given a tour of the Bolton baker’s Variety Bakery and did not get off to the best start when he admitted recently buying a home bread-making machine.

But he won workers back over by revealing: “When I made some bread, it ended up as a load of mush in the bottom of the machine, so I will definitely be heading back to the supermarket to pick up some more of your loaves.”

He answered questions on a variety of issues, including university funding, cutting the national debt and public sector cuts.

Speaking to The Bolton News after the visit, Mr Cameron again stressed the importance of taking seats in Bolton, and the wider North West.

He said: “The North West is a vital part of our country and a vital part of our economy and that is why I am here today.

“This is going to be a very different election because so much is going to be online.

“But what I like is going into the work place, like I have at Warburtons, and connecting with everyday people.

“If you want to make a connection with someone you should listen to their question, look them in the eye and give them the answer, even if it is not the one they want to hear.”