IDS: We're on the move

During a visit to a Blackpool sixth form college he shrugged off hostile headlines to say: "We are going to win the next election, I promise you.

"This week is about the alternative. We are the alternative and we are heading for government."

Asked about rumoured plots to replace him as Tory leader, he said: "I will tell you what there is a plot to do, and that is to get rid of Tony Blair. Even his own chancellor is out to get him."

Watch this space. This week we are on the attack... this party is really on the move Iain Duncan Smith Tory leader Have your say - Can the Tories win?

Mr Duncan Smith's comments were echoed by party chairman Theresa May in her keynote speech to the conference on Monday afternoon.

Mrs May said the party could win the next election, but warned it also had to change the things "holding it back", saying more modern campaigning techniques had to be used.

She said the party had to show it respected people for who they were: "rich or poor, straight or gay, black or white. Whoever you are , wherever you're from, the Conservative Party is for you".

The chairman also attacked Tony Blair's "spin and deceit" and ridiculed Liberal Democrat ambitions to overtake the Tories.

Priority questions

Earlier, former Chancellor Ken Clarke, who challenged Mr Duncan Smith to become Tory chief, told a fringe meeting the conference should not be talking about the leadership.

The way to stop others talking the party into a "sense of crisis" was to set out a firm platform of credible policies, he argued, warning that public borrowing had to be brought under control before promises of tax cuts.

Also on the opening day of the conference, the party has outlined plans to raise pensions and allow people to claim back tax to pay for private health and education.

Mr Duncan Smith insisted it was not just the middle classes who would benefit from the plans: "Watch this space. This week we are on the attack... this party is really on the move."

I believe the party under Iain can win the next general election Theresa May

Shadow transport secretary Tim Collins also urged malcontents in the party to lay off the Tory leader.

In his speech, Mr Collins said: "There are some in this party who need rapidly to relearn the virtues of loyalty.

"Let us remind them - Iain Duncan Smith was elected overwhelmingly, is daily exposing Tony Blair's deceit and dishonesty and deserves the undivided support of this entire party.

"So let the message go forth to every Conservative... if you can't say anything positive about your party, kindly don't say anything at all."

Asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about the reports that "plotters" are seeking to oust Mr Duncan Smith, Mrs May said policies were more important.

We have a right as taxpayers to make sure the money we put into health is spent in a fair, justifiable and transparent way Liam Fox Tory health plans

Mr Duncan Smith would lead the party to the next election amid a political climate which has created an opportunity "that hasn't been here for the last 10 or 11 years", she said.

The party was concentrating on public services, the issue which really mattered to voters, she added.

Under health proposals being unveiled by party spokesman Liam Fox, patients would be able to get the government to pay 60% of their private healthcare bills.

Dr Fox said the plan would allow taxpayers to take some of the cash they had contributed into the system and take it elsewhere if they chose.