David McLetchie will promise a better life under the Tories

Scots Tory leader David McLetchie will make the pledge in a speech to a party conference in Glasgow which will also be addressed by UK party leader Iain Duncan Smith.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Duncan Smith launched an attack on the executive coalition between Labour and the Liberal Democrats, branding the administration a failure.

The problem with the Liberal Democrats is they should be standing as the Labour Party Iain Duncan Smith

He accused the Liberal Democrats of shoring up a Labour Party which had failed dramatically to improve public services while spending vast sums of money.

"The problem with the Liberal Democrats is they should be standing as the Labour Party, because they vote with them, they agree with them, they support them - you might as well call them the Labour Democrats," he said.

"It's time for the Scottish people to say we want some honesty in politics, not people who say one thing then go into an administration directly after to shore up the people we didn't want in the first place."

Mr McLetchie will argue that Scots are not getting what they are entitled to expect from the Scottish Parliament.

As many as 300 Tory activists will attend the conference, which coincides with the opening day of the Scottish National Party's two-day spring conference at Balloch, Loch Lomondside.

'Value for money'

Mr McLetchie will tell the conference the electorate is unhappy with the executive's performance.

And he will say voters should give the Tories the chance on 1 May to offer a brighter alternative to Labour.

He is expected to say: "The people of Scotland deserve better than this.

"They deserve a government and a parliament that provides value for money, and that's what we offer.

"Half the number of ministers, fewer MSPs, a streamlined committee system, fewer bureaucrats and spin doctors, and a parliament that focuses on the real issues.

Iain Duncan Smith will also address the conference

"Not politically-correct nonsense such as fox hunting and land reform, which have been the staple diet for far too long."

The conference will have three sessions of debate but no votes or resolutions.

Mr McLetchie is said to be planning to break with tradition by avoiding fierce criticism of other parties.

Instead, party sources say he will outline Tory solutions to problems with public services.

Living standards

He will say: "It is pretty clear what the people of Scotland expect from their government.

"They want to live in safe neighbourhoods and communities, they want to know that if they are ill, they will be treated speedily and effectively by our health service.

"They want to know their children are being properly educated to give them the best possible start in life, and they want the opportunity to improve their standard of living.