Howard aims to woo the 'forgotten voters'

Britain needs a radical change of direction, Conservative leader Michael Howard claims today.

The Tories say the country is being dragged down by crippling taxes, interfering bureaucrats, and a disastrous decline of law and order.

Today they called on voters to punish the Government for letting millions of people down and give Britain a new chance to achieve its full potential. Mr Howard makes the comments in the introduction to his party's general election manifesto.

The opening remarks are published today - several weeks ahead of schedule - and highlight the Conservatives' determination to maximise the time available before the next general election, widely expected on 5 May.

The Tories will break with tradition by releasing their manifesto in chapters, rather than in one block, in a tactic they hope will give their campaign momentum.

Today Mr Howard sought to tap into workers' post-holiday blues by painting a bleak picture of Britain today. He promised that under a Conservative government everyone would have the opportunity to "live the British dream".

He said: "Forgotten, neglected, and taken for granted by this Government? Is that how you feel at the start of 2005? If it is, then I am addressing you today."

In his keynote speech, he claimed millions of ordinary families striving to build decent lives were not being properly rewarded by the Government.

He said people who worked hard, saved up to buy their own homes and provide for their families and their own retirement, were being neglected. Mr Howard said: "For the last seven and a half years, their only reward has been to pay higher taxes. Today, they are the forgotten majority.

"The forgotten majority are proud to be British, but they believe Britain could be doing so much better than she is today."

Mr Howard's lunchtime speech touches on the five key themes of the Tory's manifesto: cutting taxation, cleaning up hospitals, freeing doctors and teachers from Whitehall controls, boosting police numbers, and tackling the immigration crisis. He said: "Britain needs to change direction."

The Tories are trailing Labour in opinion polls despite mounting public disillusion over Tony Blair's administration. Mr Howard's manifesto introduction highlights the importance of Tory values such as self-reliance and enterprise.