Throughout their week in Bournemouth, Tory delegates are being entertained by a series of video interviews aiming to show how in touch their leaders are with the modern voter.

Between debates shadow ministers and Michael Howard talk on camera about their favourite bands, books and films, about what Olympic sport they could have competed in and how they relax on Sundays.

Talking about his first kiss, Nicholas Soames, the shadow defence secretary, says: "I made a frightful hash of it and it may have scarred me for life."

Liam Fox, the co-chairman of the party, said the videos were an attempt to reveal the party's "intimate and engaging" side.