The leader of the Conservative women's group has warned William Hague that he might have lost the election by ignoring women.

Marney Swan, chairperson of the Conservative Women's National Council, criticised the Tory campaign for marginalising female frontbenchers and failing to address issues of concern to women.

"The Conservatives have never come to power without the women's vote," said Swan.

More women have traditionally voted Conservative than Labour but Tony Blair closed this gender gap in the 1997 general election.

Swan believes that the Tories' failure to get across their policies on childcare and education and their concentration on keeping the pound will allow Labour to gain ground still further.

Last night, other women's organisations echoed Swan's sentiments.

Mary-Ann Stephenson of the Fawcett Society said: "It is a major error to ignore the importance of women."