Howard: I'll cut tax but I won't say how

Shadow chancellor Michael Howard today pledged the Tories would cut taxes - but refused to reveal the party's detailed plans.

Precise policies would have to wait until "much closer to the general election", he said. His comments opened up fresh tensions with Iain Duncan Smith, who wants precise tax-cutting policies spelled out to boost his leadership and the party's popularity.

However, Mr Howard appeared to have won his battle to avoid being boxed in over tax, which would have left him with little room for manoeuvre against Chancellor Gordon Brown. Mr Howard said on Radio 4's Today programme that he did not believe voters wanted "generalised promises from politicians".

Asked if a future Tory government would honour Labour's pledges to spend billions more on schools and hospitals he replied: "Not necessarily. We are not committed to the spending policies of this government."

In his keynote conference speech, Mr Howard was set to take a series of swipes at Labour and to pledge: "We are here to put principle back into politics.

"We are not going to do it through flashy smiles or empty promises. We are going to do it by telling people the truth.

"We are winning the arguments over policy. For the first time in 50 years people in our country will have a real choice about how our public services should be delivered."

Mr Howard declared that he was opening up a front against Labour's "deceitful, dishonest and discredited government".

He was set to accuse ministers of bringing in 60 tax rises but failing to deliver on schools, hospitals, transport or the fight against crime.

Mr Howard said Labour was failing pensioners by presiding over a chaotic system which was slashing the value of retirement savings.