The Conservatives have pledged to introduce a legal right for both parents in a broken marriage to be involved in raising their children.

Theresa May, the Tories' spokeswoman for the family, said that legislation to be published within the first month of a Tory government would also provide a "presumption of co-parenting".

May told delegates: "We will ensure that the law serves the best interests of the child - and children deserve to see both parents."

Tim Collins, the shadow education secretary, said that the Tories would scrap university top-up fees within their first week of government.

Collins told the conference: "Top-up fees deter able students. Tony Blair broke his solemn word. But there is hope. There is a better way. In our first week we would scrap fees."

Party co-chairman Lord Saatchi raised eyebrows by claiming that, according to Tory polls, Labour cannot not win the general election as long as Tony Blair remains leader.

Shadow transport secretary Tim Yeo used his speech to vow that 100 railway stations across England would be modernised under a Conservative government.