Although Michael Howard told reporters yesterday that he was "not bothered" by attacks on his performance, dissent from the backbenches overshadowed the start of a long-planned Tory policy blitz yesterday.

After a story in Monday's Telegraph indicated official criticism of "parliamentary bed-blockers" for refusing to retire and make way for younger, and more ambitious Conservative hopefuls, the elder generation slammed the party's "Notting Hill set" around the Tory leader for briefing against him.

Derek Conway, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, said: "This is what we call the Notting Hill Tory set. They sit around in these curious little bistros in parts of London, drink themselves silly and wish they were doing what the rest of us are getting on with. They'll just have to be a little more patient."

The row overshadowed a keynote speech by Oliver Letwin, the shadow chancellor, on civil service job cuts.

Tory headquarters eventually issued a statement saying: "Over the last two years the chief whip [David Maclean] has had conversations with a number of colleagues about whether they intend to fight the next election. That is normal practice among all parties in each parliament.

"But ultimately any decision about whether and when an MP should retire is a matter for him or her and the constituency association concerned. As the Daily Telegraph makes clear the list is its own, compiled by them. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the chief whip or with any other party manager."

In what the Times calls a "mischievous" move designed to play on current Tory troubles, UKIP has announced it will not stand against Conservative MPs who sign a letter supporting a total pull-out from Europe.

A UKIP source told the Times it was a "deliberately very, very nasty" strategy aimed at keeping Europe at the heart of the next general election campaign.