The fight against drug crime is a main priority with the proposed introduction of random drug-testing of pupils in schools and an increase in the number of residential drug rehabilitation places.

Mr Davis unveiled plans to recruit 5,000 extra police each year and reduce form-filling for officers.

He also confirmed that the party intends to scrap Labour's early-release scheme for prisoners.

What did you think of David Davis' speech? Do you agree with the party's proposals on law and order? Can the Tories win the next election?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

For all the talk about choice, the British public has practically no choices Carlos Cortiglia, London, England

For all the so-called re-alignment to the right, the new Conservative Party's views on the family leave much to be desired and they are no different from Labour Party and the Lib-Dems' views. We all remember their timid approach concerning British rights in Europe. It will be difficult to convince the British public that they mean what they say. Same old faces, same old words, and same old stories about fighting endemic crime. The tragedy is that when it comes to taxes, Europe, education, health, transport and immigration, amongst other things, Labour has been a disaster. For all the talk about choice, the British public has practically no choices. Sound bites and crocodile tears before the election and afterwards we will have the same story or worse.
Carlos Cortiglia, London, England

At long last a down to earth, realistic, honest politician. Mr. Davis is right about drugs and crime in general. He believes that prison works, and it most certainly does. To all those anti prison do-gooders out there... just take one look at the USA. Crime there really is on the decrease as opposed to here. Why? Because they lock criminals in places where they cannot commit crime. Early release, tagging, ASBOs what a laughing stock we have become. Its not rocket science, but it is at least a refreshing change for a potential Home Secretary to appear at last to be on the side of the victim. I do so hope for a Tory victory next year.
Ed Hollinshead, UK

Mr Davis talks about Drug Epidemic? What about the costs of policing alcohol abuse every weekend in every city in this country? What about the violence that alcohol creates? What about the fact that I am scared to go out on a Saturday night because some bunch of drunken lads could kick my head in for no reason whatsoever apart from the fact that they fancy it? This is not taking a stance in favour of drugs (yes they are dangerous for kids) but it is to show the hypocrisy and total lack of information that this man has displayed.
Frank, UK

Clearly another misguided attempt to create a moral panic based on political point scoring Ruth Hollingworth, London

Will Mr Davis be setting up random drug testing at well known public schools, or is he only targeting the majority of us at comprehensives. Clearly another misguided attempt to create a moral panic based on political point scoring. We all agree with drug rehabilitation but is prison the only conceivable alternative? I suggest a comprehensive look at education, beginning with the pre-school years. Why not keep Labour's promises if he wants to score points? Succeed where they have evidently failed.
Ruth Hollingworth, London

More should be done to educate kids as to how drugs can be stupid and dangerous, but I fear making them legal is the only way to stop them being cool.
Robbie Fisher, Norwich

I don't know what some of the correspondents on this page want. If a politician says he will try and change things, most people say it is empty words. Would they prefer it if politicians didn't say what their plans are?
Dave, Sheffield, England

Is it really right to subject children to random drug testing? We would not be happy if the government required adults to submit to drug tests, but then I suppose it is very easy to infringe upon the rights of people who cannot even vote.
Oliver, Rotherham, UK

Where is the money coming from? Roger Storer, London

Prisons don't come cheap and nor do extra police. Where is the money coming from? Do the Tories really think that prison works as Michael Howard said a decade ago. It is all nice sound bites, but will never reduce crime.
Roger Storer, London

The Tory rhetoric on drugs will only alienate a large section of the population under 50 who may have first or second hand experience of drugs rather than the third hand scare stories the Tories seem to listen to.
Alex, Aberdeen

They are empty words, absolutely meaningless. Like all politicians before them - they all make all these pre-election promises and continually fail to deliver.
Patricia Humphrey, Maidenhead, UK

Increasing the penalty increases crime Michael Riordan

Crime? Drugs? Certainly these thinks are linked but experience shows that increasing the penalty increases crime. How to get rid of drugs and drug related crime? Make them legal. It is a sensible solution but unfortunately our politicians are lead by tabloid sensationalism.
Michael Riordan

About time a tougher stance is taken on drugs, drugs-related crime and crime generally. Everybody needs to feel safer in the streets and at home.
Deepak Lalwani, London

Random drug testing in schools is an appalling idea. I smoked cannabis throughout my GCSEs and still did very well. I now have a successful career in IT and still use recreational drugs. Perhaps if I'd been drug tested and thrown out of school things could have been very different for me.
Chris, Southend, England

Random drug testing will simply criminalise thousands more young people Dr Karl Lynch, Hamburg

There is nothing new in what Mr Davis has said. He referred to the impending drug epidemic which has been coming for as long as I can remember and has still failed to materialise. Random drug testing will simply criminalise thousands more young people who go through drug experimentation phases as part of growing up. Yes, some may suffer as a result of this but are alcohol treatment programmes and nicotine treatment programmes also going to be covered by his proposals? After all these are the drugs that most of today's youth will become addicted to.
Dr Karl Lynch, Hamburg

I would be interested in how they can pay for 5000 extra police and cut taxes at the same time.
Ian, UK

I would like to see a plan of reform giving people the right to defend themselves in their own homes against intruders. The law as it currently stands seems to offer more rights to the criminal than the victim. "Reasonable force" is a non-statement, and the law should recognise that criminals surrender their personal rights by virtue of the fact that they have knowingly operated outside of the law, and put themselves at risk.
Andy Bird, Cheshire, UK

Brilliant! With Blair and Brown bitching at each other, New Labour should find themselves in utter chaos! The Tories now look intelligent, considered, sleek, motivated, honest, thoughtful, caring, and are NOT promising the earth whilst being totally focused on the needs of "everyday people" over those of their traditional voters! Perhaps there is still a chance for "Great Britain" yet?
Jock, London, England

David Davis' comments are welcome. It is true that we do need more police officers, but it is far easier to promise, than it is to deliver. Hopefully the Tories, if elected, will not do what Labour did and promise the earth, but deliver little.
James, Leeds

So much hot air... Take a leaf out of Mr Blair's (as yet unfulfilled) promise: get tough on the CAUSES of crime - anything else is simply papering over the cracks.
Tod, Barnstaple