Point to make: Michael Howard spoke of being "straightforward"

New Conservative leader Michael Howard prefaced his speech to the CBI conference with a little self-deprecation, admitting that not every British businessman is a card-carrying Tory.

"If this was ever a valid assumption, which I doubt, it is certainly out of date... if you are sceptical of politicians, who can blame you?"

But given the warmth of his response, it was quickly obvious that Mr Howard was preaching to the choir.

He made no concrete promises though, not even pledging to reduce taxes.

As far as many of his CBI audience were concerned, however, Mr Howard is seen as a man that business can do business with.

Ready to forgive

Mr Howard found the CBI in indulgent mood, ready to cut the new leader a little slack.

"We couldn't expect him to turn up with lots of new ideas so soon into the job," said Charles Auld, chief executive of General Healthcare Group.

"His speech was reasoned and considered. It couldn't have been better, and it could have been a great deal worse."

Some delegates even gave Mr Howard points for not committing himself to any specific tax cuts or changes in regulation.

"Lots of politicians come here promising the earth, and end up delivering diddley-squat" said one delegate.

Philosophy, not promises

Few in the audience seemed confident enough to distill down the basic heart of the Howard message, however.

"It's difficult for him to create any kind of real distinction between his ideas and those of the government," said John Weston, chairman of hi-tech firm Spirent.

"I suppose his philosophy was one of promoting individual responsibility and devolving power from central government."

Most, however, felt that Mr Howard was simply trying to say: "I am one of you - not necessarily a businessman, but a businesslike man."

"That's all very well, but I am a little tired of hearing that message," said Mark Doyle, chief executive of engineering firm Trinity Expert Systems.

"That's pretty much what every politician here has been saying."

Lean and mean

Mr Howard's chief piece of evidence for his kinship with business was his decision to strip down his cabinet from 26 to 12 members.

"My approach to politics is to be straightforward and businesslike," he told the CBI.

"That's how you run your companies and your outfits. That's how I intend to run mine."

This approach won two cheers from delegates.

"If a slimmed-down cabinet is going to lead to slimmed-down government, then I'll certainly be voting Tory at the next election," said one businessman.

Too few to count

But at the same time, some saw dangers.

Cutting back to a dozen ministers, some felt, would leave some with unwieldy portfolios - in particular the combination of education and health in the hands of Tim Yeo.

Even more echoed the concerns of CBI director-general Digby Jones - that the shadow cabinet has no minister with responsibility for business.

Mr Auld said: "I think Mr Howard missed a trick there.

"A Chancellor figure simply cannot be in charge of business."