Tory minister hits out at Ukip on visit to Black Country
'Ukip cannot deliver,' was the claim from a senior Tory minister on a visit to the Midlands on the eve of next week's local elections.
More than 60 people gathered at Lye's Ghausia Jamia Mosque last night to hear minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs Baroness Sayeeda Warsi speak.
Baroness Warsi, who is also minister for faith and communities, met with members of the town's Muslim community and Tory candidate for Lye and Stourbridge North Asan Mishaq.
Also attending the event was the party's prospective parliamentary candidate for Dudley North Afzal Amin in next year's general elections.
People crowded into the mosque for the event.
Speaking after the short meeting, Baroness Warsi said was not concerned about the impact UKIP may have at next week's election nor at the general election.
"All I will say is this. Ukip is a single-issue party and cannot deliver," she said.
"We have already said there will be a referendum on Europe in 2017 if we win at the next General Election.
"There will also be re-negotiations over our role within Europe.
"Our view is very clear on this and I say again Ukip cannot deliver."
Baroness Warsi said she was 'delighted' to be back in the Dudley area.
"It is around the fourth or fifth time I have visited this area in the past six or seven years so in a way it feels like a bit of a homecoming," she said.
"The aim is to get people in communities involved in politics.
"I think our message is getting out there. I have always said there should be no no-go areas for the party.
"I am a prime example of that. I am from a working class background in Yorkshire and I became chairman of the Conservative Party."
Baroness Warsi said she believed the government had sent out a clear message that it was 'not living above its means' which resonated with voters.
"I am proud to a member of the a party that was not willing for the country to remain in a state of indebtedness," she said.
"I think we have done a lot of good work and will continue to do so."
Baroness Warsi was appointed as minister without portfolio in 2010, when she succeeded Eric Pickles as chairman of the Conservative Party - becoming the first Muslim woman to serve in the cabinet.
She held the position until 2012 when she was appointed senior minister of state for foreign and commonwealth affairs in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and minister for faith and communities.
