A “DECAPITATION strategy” reportedly drawn up by the Tories to remove five cabinet ministers from power including Jack Straw has been shrugged off by the Blackburn MP.

The Conservatives are set to target Justice Secretary Mr Straw’s seat as part of a bid to wipe out some of Labour’s biggest names in the next general election.

Mr Straw, who is currently on holiday, was said to be unconcerned by the national newspaper report and would “relish” the chance to fight off the Conservatives.

But Michael Law-Riding, the Conservative parliamentary candidate, said he was “well placed” to secure victory in the election, regardless of whether his campaign was given extra resources by party chiefs.

A Daily Telegraph report said that the Conservatives had drawn up the ‘decapitation strategy’ and would “step up their efforts” in Blackburn in a bid to overturn Mr Straw’s 8,000 vote majority.

The Conservatives currently have a 12-point lead in opinion polls and Mr Law-Riding, who is a Blackburn with Darwen councillor, requires a 10 per cent swing to secure victory.

All the other five seats being targeted, which also include Chancellor Alistair Darling, Schools Secretary Ed Balls, Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw and Communities Secretary John Denham, have similar majorities which would be overturned by such a swing.

Coun Law-Riding said that he was aware the Conservatives were drawing up a national strategy but that details had not been finalised.

He also said it was not known if he would be given additional resources for the election, which is still to be announced.

But Coun Law-Riding said: “From my and Blackburn Conservatives’ point of view this has always been a target and we definitely know we can win.

“Our campaign is in such good shape. We are in a very strong position.

“Bring it on: the sooner the better. It’s time for a change. People are fed-up with the Labour government and the majority of people are fed-up with the current MP.

“People’s faith in politicians has dwindled. There is going to be a big change. ”

A spokesman for Mr Straw said: “They say this every election and have been consistently rejected by the people of Blackburn.

“But if this is true, Jack will relish the chance to expose Tory arguments for what they are: all spin and no substance.

“At the European elections this year Labour had a majority over the other parties in Blackburn. Labour's policies have been good for Blackburn over the last 12 years and Jack is looking forward to fighting and winning again on behalf of the people of Blackburn."

Conservative leader David Cameron has already made two high profile visits to the area. He visited Blackburn ahead of the May local elections and then returned to County Hall in Preston to celebrate when the Conservatives won control of Lancashire County Council for the first time in decades.