Tories preparing for government

Francis Maude

Monday, 11, Aug 2008 06:01

The Conservative are stepping up their preparations for government with a session on transition to Downing Street at the party's forthcoming conference.

Oliver Letwin and Francis Maude will lead the session, with delegates discussing a shake-up of Whitehall department as well as other matters.

An advance copy of the conference agenda says the session will "set out the framework within which each government department will be expected to operate and deliver our manifesto commitments".

The conference follows a euphoric few months for the Conservatives, who have received comprehensive coverage of their policies overt the summer months while Labour poll ratings remain desperately poor.

The party conferences are central to both of the main parties this year.

Mr Brown will be hoping a barnstorming speech to the party faithful can secure his position until the next general election in 2010. The Conservatives need to build on their fortunes of the last year to consolidate their lead.

Current polls show Tory support lagging below the level of dislike of Labour, suggesting the Tories are sucking up voters more by the weakness of the other party than by their own efforts.