Cameron resolute on modernisation

Saturday, 2 December 2006 12:00 AM

David Cameron has warned traditional elements of his Conservative party that they need to back him and his policies if they wish to win elections.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, the Tory leader said the party was "at a turning point" and was beginning to look at policies such as childcare and flexibility of work that had not previously been of interest.

Mr Cameron also stressed changes to the party's selection process were necessary to "make it more representative and attract black minority ethnic candidates".

He added that in their attempts to be a multi-policy party, the Tories will "be going through everything, from prisons and crime to more details on our independence for the NHS bill".

On Wednesday, Mr Cameron will celebrate the first anniversary of his leadership and shows no signs of changing course.

"I don't go out to annoy anybody but I want to change the Conservative party and get us back to the centre ground and get us back in a position where we can win," he told the newspaper.

He admitted mistakes were made in the last elections saying: "It is no good having a manifesto devoted to immigration and Europe if people are interested in health and education."

Mr Cameron also discussed party unity and refuted speculations that he was provoking traditional Conservatives.

He added: "I suppose you could spend the next a few years as leader of the Conservative party just telling people what they wanted to hear and jolly them along and everyone would be very happy and then you would lose another election. I don't see the point in that."

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• conservatives
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• party politics