Conservatives searching for certainty in Brighton

There's been a strange atmosphere at the Conservative Spring Conference in Brighton. I suppose it's only natural with so much at stake. Shadow ministers are on best behaviour, but there's a yearning for certainty.

Some argue that the best approach should be to keep cards close to the chest, don't give away policies that Labour could take.

The budget will be a major springboard into the election and Conservatives remember how their ideas on inheritance tax became government policy, immediately neutralising their potency.

Others say the scale of work needed to cut the deficit means being straight with the electorate is imperative. The party should have a mandate from the election verdict and that's only possible if intentions are clearly spelt out.

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