Public services are the centre of the looming general election campaign following keynote speeches by Tony Blair and Michael Howard.

In a move that signals further radical reform to come, the prime minister has drawn the battle lines between Tory "choice for the few" and Labour's universal choice for all.

Blair said yesterday that reform is essential if the middle classes are to remain engaged with key public services.

The prime minister said he wanted high quality, consumer oriented services - overcoming the "British disease" of second best schools and hospitals being acceptable.

"With growing capacity in our public services, we can now accelerate reform," he said.

"We have the opportunity to develop a new generation of personalised services, where equity and excellence go hand in hand - services shaped by the needs of those who use them, services with more choice extended to everyone and not just those that can afford to pay.

"Services personal to each and fair to all. This is the battleground for the future of our public services."

The speech came as the Conservatives detailed their proposals for a fundamental overhaul of the NHS.

The party's plans include a pledge to abolish all central targets imposed on hospitals, including the controversial star rating system and waiting lists targets.

"Our approach will mean that, at last, we can make waiting lists in this country a thing of the past. Waiting lists don't exist in countries like France and Sweden," said Howard.

"Waiting lists are a British disease, and the Right to Choose is the cure. Labour mouth the mantra of choice. But what they mean is choice on their terms. They will lie, lie and lie again about our policy."

The Tory leader went on to warn that Labour does "not own the freehold to this debate".

"The Conservatives want to introduce real choice. The kind of choice that will make the NHS a better place to work. The kind of choice that will end waiting lists," he added.

Meanwhile, John Reid, the health secretary, will today set out new targets and plans to be achieved by the NHS within four years.