Howard: Dismissing poll data

Michael Howard has dismissed the latest batch of opinion polls as he gears up for Thursday's election challenge.

Despite trailing Labour by 10 points in the latest MORI poll, the Conservative leader said he wanted to stand up for the "forgotten majority".

"It's not the polls or the pollsters that are going to decide this election - it's real people out there," he told GMTV.

"Real people who are still weighing up what's best for them, what's best for the country."

Howard, who is campaigning in key marginals, says he is offering "action not talk" in Thursday's general election.

Calling for "fair play" for ordinary voters, he said he was confident of making gains in the closing phase of the campaign.

Disquiet

But behind the scenes, senior Conservatives are expressing disquiet at the party's failure to make a decisive breakthrough.

Critics say Howard has focussed too much on the party's core support, ignoring voters required to ensure the Tories breakthrough in Labour marginals.

They also question his reliance on Australian operative Lynton Crosby and his decision to consult with a handful of relatively inexperienced young Tories such as George Osbourne and David Cameron.

Predictions that the Conservatives are heading for a third potentially large electoral defeat has also raised fresh speculation about the Tory leadership.

While Howard has signalled that he would not quit immediately if defeated, pressure will mount if he fails to reduce Labour's majority significantly.

The Tory leader is understood to have said he wants to change the system for electing a successor before kicking off any contest.

Senior Conservatives have also suggested that Howard should stay on as a caretaker to avoid a repeat of the 2001 situation in which Iain Duncan Smith was selected by the party's grassroots members.