PROSPECTIVE Tory general election candidate Bob Eastwood has vowed to revive Blackburn’s nightlife and put a smile on people’s faces if he becomes the town’s MP on May 7.

The 49-year-old joined the Conservatives early last year after 30 years in the police.

MORE TOP STORIES:

He dismissed rumours he considered other parties but revealed Lancashire Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw sounded him out about supporting Labour.

Father-of-four Mr Eastwood said kick-starting Blackburn’s night-time economy was his priority in an exclusive interview with the Lancashire Telegraph.

Praising the ‘superb’ Cathedral Quarter development, he said: “There are big gaps in the plans for the town centre.

“Blackburn needs to come alive and the Blackburn people need to have a smile on their face.

“I’ve basically brought a team of people together who know-how to do it and I’m in the process of developing a plan.

“If I am MP, I will act, in partnership with other people, to make sure Blackburn at night comes alive so that people have a choice of going somewhere to eat and somewhere to drink.

“At the moment Blackburn exports its residents to surrounding towns and this isn’t good for our local economy and it isn’t good for our local businesses either.

“Blackburn thriving at night filters down across the daytime.

“Not only do I want to see Blackburn buzzing again but Blackburn people want to see Blackburn buzzing again.”

Mr Eastwood revealed a private conversation with retiring Labour MP Jack Straw while deciding on his political bid, adding he would not have stood against the former Cabinet minister.

He said: “I made my decision because my politics lie very slightly to the right of the centre line.

“I believe in Conservative principles around social justice, supporting businesses, education, law and order and employment.

“As the economy improves and continues improving, I would want to see people properly recompensed for the hard work they put into the job and the success of any business.

“I do believe we should be still in Europe but with a re-defined role which puts our sovereignty on a firm footing.

On gay marriage, the Roman Catholic said: “People in who have a loving relationship with people of the same sex who want to take advantage of the legislation to get married would get my full support.”

“We have gay people in all communities across Blackburn and we should not discriminate against them in respect of marriage.”

On concerns over Islamic radicalism Mr Eastwood warns:“We live in danger of criminalising the Muslim faith.

“The overwhelmingly majority of Blackburn Muslim people I know distance themselves completely from extremist activity, and extremist ideology.

“Do I think it is large scale problem to say Blackburn has a radicalised community, Absolutely, no I do not.

“I think the danger is a lone wolf.”

Mr Eastwood added: “I feel I have real chance of winning.

“I do think the electorate have some thinking to do.”