A former Conservative frontbencher has accused Michael Howard of "wilfully" dividing the Conservative Party by shifting it to the right.

Interviewed in the Telegraph, Damian Green, who resigned in the reshuffle last week, says: "I am bemused that anyone can think that this is a sensible strategy at this stage."

Meanwhile, John Redwood, who returned to the shadow Cabinet in the reshuffle, suggests that the Conservative Party would include tax cuts and increases in cash for health, education and the police in its manifesto in the next general election.

"I don't think you need to choose between the two. You have got to talk about taxes in your manifesto and public services in your manifesto," he says.