People are stuck with the system, says Mr Davis

The shadow home secretary said the party had to be open to everybody - whether young, old, black, white, gay or straight.

In his opening pitch at this year's Tory conference in Blackpool, Mr Davis aped John Lennon hit "Imagine" as he called for a new Tory idealism.

"Imagine a changed Britain and improved lives," he said.

Generational change

Mr Davis contrasted his own upbringing on a south London council estate with a teenage girl growing up in a similar area today.

She might be materially richer but would have less security and fewer opportunities than him, he said, blaming "state failure".

Mr Davis urged people to imagine a different Britain where schools and hospitals matched up to those in other European countries and action against crime compared well with New York.

He argued: "The best off in society can move house or go private if they want to get their children into good schools. But most people can't - they're stuck with the system."

Mr Davis said the Tories must pursue social justice, which would not only appeal to the poorest in society but make middle class voters feel good about their jobs.

Invoking a slogan used by George W Bush when he was governor of Texas, Mr Davis said he wanted "good for me, good for my neighbour" policies.

And he signalled that he would use his speech from the main conference platform on Wednesday to argue for a tax policy designed to "favour families".