Duncan Smith says Labour's attitude has been exposed

He accused the government of adopting a culture of targets to control funding, along with inflexible conditions for staff.

Mr Duncan Smith said in contrast Tory strategies to reform public services were an "excellent" platform from which his party could go on and win the next General Election.

Under New Labour, almost no aspect of people's lives is free of the intrusion of government Iain Duncan Smith

The Conservative leader spelt out his ambitions at the launch of a 100-page analysis of what Tories perceive to be wrong with the government, entitled: Total Politics: Labour's Command State.

But the publication prompted Labour to accuse the Conservatives of planning cuts and more privatisation.

Leadership anniversary

With the party conference season looming, Mr Duncan Smith and David Davis, who shadows the deputy prime minister, used the central London news conference to explain further new Tory policies.

The Tory leader, who this week marks two years in the job, has already said Labour's attitude to government accounts for its treatment of government scientist Dr David Kelly.

Which schools, which hospitals, and how many police will be cut? Ian McCartney

Expanding on that theme, he said: "Under New Labour, almost no aspect of people's lives is free of the intrusion of government.

"We are witnessing a vicious cycle of escalating central control.

"There is a disease at the heart of Tony Blair's government. That disease is total politics.

"The New Labour politics is everywhere and everything."

'Fair deal'

The Tory booklet focuses on four key issues: the system of targets, centrally controlled funding, bureaucratic intrusion and rigid terms for employees.

Mr Davis said: "The reason we have 100 pages is because we want to understand in more detail what drives [public services] and how we can fix it without creating new problems of our own.

"The Conservatives will strip away the structures of the command state and our reforms will deliver a fair deal where Labour has let people down.

"What we need is to encourage responsibility for local government."

Mr Duncan Smith said failing public services had caused panic in Downing Street, which in turn had caused increased centralisation.

'Different approach'

"Total politics, total control, total failure," he said.

"Our approach is different. Where Labour pulls power upwards to the centre and the Liberal Democrats spread power around new bureaucracies in the middle, Conservatives will push power downwards to people who need it."

The Tory leader dismissed accusations that his party had done little while Labour endured its worst summer for years.

"I know that this party that I lead has never been in a stronger position, certainly not for the last 10 years.

"I believe we have finally won the right to be heard.

"I believe [the reforms] are an excellent launch position to go and win the next general election."

Cuts?

But Labour Party Chairman Ian McCartney labelled the Tory booklet a "roadmap to cuts, charges and privatisation".

He derided Tory talk of being radical and said the booklet did not offer one new proposal and said it showed the party was "more extreme than ever".

He continued: "The truth is the Tories cannot tell us what their commitment to cut 20% 'across the board' will mean for public services.

"Which schools, which hospitals, and how many police will be cut? How much will hard working families have to pay for medical care and essential operations?"