By Paula Dear BBC News Online

Most knew little of Mr Howard before watching the speech on TV

If Mr Howard had hoped his well-chosen words would repair some of the apparent erosion of trust held in politicians, he did not make much headway at Newham Further Education College in Stratford.

One thing most students agreed on was that politicians said what they thought voters wanted to hear, and didn't actually deliver on their promises.

"I wouldn't vote for Michael Howard. I wouldn't vote for any of them because I think they're all liars and there's no point," said Sadia Yousaf, 17.

While most confessed they had little previous knowledge about Mr Howard, one said he already had him down as untrustworthy before he'd even got to the conference podium.

'Gained my attention'

"He agreed with the Iraq war, but then once it got out of hand he backed off, so that shows he contradicts himself," explained 18-year-old Rejaur Rahman.

The Liberal Democrats' anti-war stance is more likely to win his first general election vote, he says.

"My family used to vote for Labour, but then they realised it wasn't worth it, so they'll vote Lib Dem next time."

But the Tory leader's overall style and delivery was pretty well received, as "clever" and well rehearsed.

A football reference at the beginning of the speech was much remarked upon.

I don't agree with what he said about taxes - how will he have the resources to do all the things he wants to do? Fawzy Ibrahim Kennedy: Young voters' verdict Blair: Young voters' verdict

"He gained my attention with that, but he didn't really keep it," says Hassan Hassan, 18, who said had started to nod off by the end of Mr Howard's 47-minute oration.

Although he's not sure if his positive impressions would actually translate into a Conservative vote, Amar Nasir was upbeat about Mr Howard's address.

"The way he presented it was very clever. He said we can't just talk, we have to apply action, and I noticed he wouldn't make promises if he didn't think he could do it."

"I would have said what Michael Howard said if I'd been in his position," agreed 17-year-old Paul Ketiku.

Agree on crime

"He was saying things are not working, here's how we'll make it work."

But for Fawzy Ibrahim, whose father was a politician in Ghana, Michael Howard didn't have enough of a plan.

"He's only taking advantage of Labour's mistakes. If Labour was doing everything right then what would he do to win us over to his side?

"He'd have nothing positive to say about his own policies.

"I don't agree with what he said about taxes. If he cuts them how will he have the resources to do all the things he wants to do?"

None of the parties are worth voting for, says Sadia Yousaf

Tony Blair would "get out of" the "serious" mistakes made over Iraq, and would still have his vote, adds Fawzy.

"Howard has been in government before and he didn't do nothing then, so why should we believe him now?"

So did Mr Howard really deal with the issues that were most important to them, as the next generation of voters?

"He'd have my vote on what he said about crime and policing - a lot of people are scared to walk outside," says Hassan.

"But I wouldn't agree with the rest of what he said. Except maybe on taxes, because they are getting a bit ridiculous now."

"The big issue is Iraq. What's happening there? Blair should sort that out, but on this Michael Howard is just the same as Blair.

"I would give my vote to the Liberal Democrats."

Details on university education and top-up fees were conspicuous by their absence in the leader's keynote speech, said mature student Olusoji Adegelu.

Speech was for "middle aged, middle class and middle minded"

"What's the future for people like us here? We don't know because he didn't mention it.

"That speech was for the middle aged, the middle class and the middle minded."

While the students may have agreed with a few points here and there the general consensus was that Mr Howard wasn't talking their language.

"All the people listening in the hall were older, and all suited and booted," says Rejaur.

"His jokes might be funny for older people...the football one was a smart move, but the rest were pretty lame."