Cameron - Yorkshire will decide if I win or lose election

On a visit to the region Mr Cameron set out why he still believes a positive message could see off a strong Labour challenge in West Yorkshire seats increasingly seen as vital to success by senior Conservatives.

While visiting the offices of The Yorkshire Post he defended the party’s record in the north, revealed he wants to agree a timetable for a high speed line across the Pennines and insisted he could still secure a majority with northern support, saying “I know I can win it or lose it in Yorkshire.”

Labour’s overconfidence in the Yorkshire groundwar could cost it seats come May 7, Mr Cameron said. Labour has made clear it is seeking to get more volunteers out on doorsteps in key West Yorkshire seats, with the ground effort seen as the route to victory in the General Election.

Asked about an Ed Miliband claim that polling had shown Labour is reaching more voters, Mr Cameron said: “I would be very suspicious of that poll, simply because a big part of this is about targeting, we are targeting undecided voters and that will show.”

Insisting the Conservatives had done enough to connect with voters in the North, Mr Cameron said: “I’m very confident that we have MPs with a an excellent track record here in Yorkshire running on that record, I’m confident they will come through.”

He added: “The truth is the recovery is there, you can see it in Yorkshire and the Humber, 129,000 more people in work, unemployment down 90,000. You can see things people can touch and feel that have changed.

“But we have a very tough battle, we have to get out there and talk about this.

“And I think our manifesto is very tailored to Yorkshire concerns, it’s about jobs and educations and home ownership.”

Mr Cameron told The Yorkshire Post he would stand by plans for a high-speed railway to Leeds, and, addressing comments from Ed Balls that East West links should be improved first, Mr Cameron said he wanted to “set a time table for HS3 to make a reality of this Northern powerhouse.”

He added: “Ed Balls said he wants to cancel the second stage of high speed rail, it was a slap in the face to the north and Ed Balls should know better.”

Mr Cameron went on to defend devolution to Yorkshire cities, saying he himself helped draft a Conservative manifesto promise which will offer greater devolution to cities other than just those such as Manchester which decide to create a new elected mayor position.

The Prime Minister want on to mobile phone firm O2’s offices in Leeds where he answered questions from the company’s staff.

With three weeks to go before polling day, Mr Cameron ruled out any discussions about possible coalitions until the votes have been cast.

The Prime Minister said: “We are 23 seats short of a majority and I am doing everything I can in the next 21 days to try and win that. I don’t want another coalition, I don’t think the country needs another coalition.

“I think there is a desire out there for a Government that can be decisive, strong and more accountable.”

He added: “If I fall short you can ask me the next day what I will do. You know with me, I will put the national interest first.”