Tories: Mounting push for government

As the election nears Michael Howard has put his top team on alert, with a pledge to hit the ground running in government.

The Conservative leader will warn voters this week that they face their last change to "send a message" to Tony Blair.

A series of posters will urge voters to give the prime minister a bloody nose in Thursday's general election.

"We’ve had eight years of waste and broken promises from Labour. Is that suddenly going to change if they get a third chance? I don’t think so," Howard said on Sunday.

"They’ve had eight years. They had their massive 167 seat majority in parliament. And they’ve had their chance."

Howard said voters should tell MPs that that "time’s up".
 
"No wonder so many Britons are looking to us for a better way on lower taxes and value for money," he said.

"If you vote for your local Conservative candidate on Thursday – you’ll be sending a clear message that you want action on lower taxes and value for money."

Howard said his key frontbenchers were primed to hit the ground running in the event of a Tory victory on Thursday.

"We'll be ready to take action to deliver lower taxes and value for money straight away - in the first week of a Conservative government," he said.

"I have given Caroline Spelman, David Willetts and Oliver Letwin clear, specific, deliverable tasks - what they've got to do and when they’ve got to do it.

"And I'm personally going to ensure it happens. I'll be on the phone every week to check they’re delivering the goods - just like any other boss in Britain.

"I will hold my team to account for their commitments. Everyone knows the rules. If you screw up and don't deliver - you're out."