Tories not trusted says Lansley

Tory moderniser Andrew Lansley weighed into the leadership battle today with a blunt warning that the party is deeply distrusted.

Public cynicism about Conservatives was so deep, he said, that even fair-minded policies were suspected of being a Trojan horse for rampant privatisation or cuts.

Mr Lansley launched himself as the fifth centre-ground candidate in a speech to Conservative Mainstream, arguing that only positive campaigning could overcome the trust deficit. Referring to the general election, he said: "The public suspected our motives because they did not understand our vision. When Conservatives talk about school choice, the public imagine it is due to some Conservative obsession with markets, efficiency and productivity."

Tory MPs are in despair at the failure of moderates to agree on a candidate to run against bookies' favourite David Davis, the Right-wing shadow home secretary. There are fresh signs that former Chancellor Kenneth Clarke has failed to get enough backing for a leadership bid.