CONSERVATIVE leader David Cameron praised Bury’s famous son Sir Robert Peel during a speech in Whitefield tonight.

He said the “great Conservative Prime Minister” encouraged people to get involved in their communities in a manifesto in 1834 – just as the Tories are doing in the current election campaign.

Mr Cameron said: “We produced our manifesto yesterday and I was looking back trying to see if I could find any similarities. Robert Peel called in 1834 for active citizens. We do need active citizens in our country today.”

He said the Conservatives would allow people to have “power and control over their lives” by being able to buy a post office or pub facing closure, for example.

He would also let people call a referendum if they were unhappy with something being done by a council, such as raising council tax.

Mr Cameron was speaking to more than 400 people packed into Philips Sports Centre, in Higher Lane, as part of the party’s election campaign.

Afterwards, Councillor Michelle Wiseman, the Tory candidate for Bury South, said: “It was a big honour that David came to Bury South and it shows how much he values the seats here in Bury.

"The reception from everyone here was fantastic.”