By politics.co.uk staff

David Cameron has told his party he will concentrate on cutting public debt rather than cutting taxes if the Tories get into power.

Criticising a raft of ‘unnecessary’ government measures, including ID cards, quango “fat cats” and aspects of the tax credit system, he promised to reduce spending before embarking on any other projects.

Labour retorted that cutting spending in a recession is “economic madness”.

The Tory leader, who ditched the Conservatives’ commitment to match Labour’s spending plans in the light of the economic downturn, stressed that fiscal responsibility had to have a “social conscience.”

An incoming Conservative government would have to deal with “the worst set of public figures in our peacetime history” he said, in a speech to party members.