Michael Howard has said the Conservatives would put policing, cleaner hospitals, school discipline and immigration at the top of their legislative agenda.

Setting out an "alternative" Queen's Speech, the Tory chief said that his party's priorities were in tune with those of the British people.

His comments came ahead of the formal address to parliament by the Queen on Tuesday, in which she will detail the government's legislative plans for the coming session.

"On Tuesday we'll have the same old talk from Tony Blair," said Howard.

"More promises, more wrong priorities.  After seven years under Tony Blair, crime is out of control, our hospitals are dirty and our immigration system is a shambles.

"Taxes have shot up 66 times, but people see no improvement for their money."

Action

Howard said that setting out a Conservative vision for the Queen's Speech would allow the public to "see we are serious about tackling what really matters".

"When we say we'll do something, we will," he pledged.

"We have already set out our timetable for action, and we expect people to hold us to account."

The speech included a commitment to "cut back waste and bureaucracy in government" to "set Britain on a path to lower taxes".

Other pledges include giving headteachers "complete control over exclusions from schools" and ensuring that parents have "the right to choose the best school for their child".

Priorities

On the health service, the party pledged to "eliminate unnecessary regulation, waste and bureaucracy".

And the "highest priority" would be given to delivering cleaner hospitals and a safer environment for patients.

New legislation would also "bring immigration under control and create a fair asylum system that acts firmly and swiftly against abuse, but helps genuine refugees".

On policing a bill would be introduced "to reduce police paperwork and bureaucracy and to enable more police to be deployed on the streets".