Praising the work of British troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Conservative leader has said human rights laws are hampering the fight against terrorism.

David Cameron said he was aware of the "huge responsibility" he would have as prime minister for protecting the British people from terrorism.

Dedicating a large section of his keynote conference speech to security and terrorism issues, he pledged to "never play politics" with the issue.

Soldiers in Afghanistan are "fighting a ferocious enemy", he said, describing their mission as "a moral responsibility".

Pledging that a Tory government would provide them with more equipment to do their work, Cameron said the UK should do "a lot more" for its armed forced.

"Our missions in Iraq and Afghanistan remind us of the great dangers of our times," he told activists gathered in Bournemouth.

"I know that if we win the next election, the moment I walk through the front door of Downing Street I will have the huge responsibility of protecting the British people from terrorism.

"There are some who still believe that the threat we face today is no different from ones that we have faced before, such as the IRA.

"They are profoundly mistaken. We are dealing with people who are prepared to do anything, kill any number, and use suicide attacks to further their aims.

"Defeating them will be a battle of hearts and minds, as well as force. But this threat cannot be negotiated away or appeased - it has to be confronted and overcome."

Security

Cameron said he would "always listen to the police and security services, and take their advice with the utmost seriousness".

"I will never play politics with this issue," the Tory leader added.

"What I will do, is my duty. Which is to support the government when they do the right thing.

"And hold them to account when they're getting it wrong."

Ministers are "getting some things wrong", he added, singling out identity cards, poor border controls and the Human Rights Act.

"I believe that yes, the British people need a clear definition of their rights in this complex world," he said.

"But I also believe we need a legal framework for those rights that does not hamper the fight against terrorism.

"That is why we will abolish the Human Rights Act and put a new British Bill of  Rights in its place."

Foreign policy

On foreign policy, Cameron said he would be "tough when it comes to promoting this country's interests abroad".

He said it was not 'anti-American' to want "a foreign policy which was more independent of the White House".

The Tory leader said he would be "a British prime minister pursuing a British foreign policy".

Conservatives would continue to favour "spreading freedom and democracy, and supporting humanitarian intervention".

"But Conservative, because I also recognise the complexities of human nature, will always be sceptical of grand schemes to remake the world," he added.

"We need more patience, more humility in the way we engage with the world."