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London: David Cameron will seek to propel the Tories towards government at his party's autumn rally by openly talking about how they would run Britain.
The Tory leader has sanctioned a key session at the Birmingham conference on preparing for government, according to party documents.
His decision signals a new step in his bid for power and comes days after shadow foreign secretary William Hague trumpeted that the Conservatives are now likely to win the next general election, expected in 2010.
The move is seen as risky, suggesting that Tories are taking people's vote for granted with Labour trailing in the polls. But senior Tories believe it will convince many wavering voters, still unsure what the Conservatives stand for, that they are ready for government.
"Conferences for the best part of nearly 20 years have all been about survival," said shadow communities secretary Eric Pickles. "This one is about lift-off."
The gathering aims to tackle claims by Labour that the Tories lack substance, Pickles added.
String of priorities
Policy supremo Oliver Letwin and Francis Maude, shadow minister for the Cabinet Office, are set to lead the 45-minute session on the last day of the annual conference, which starts on September 28.
They are due to "set out the framework within which each government department will be expected to operate and deliver our manifesto commitments", according to a draft agenda. The Tories are focusing on a string of priorities this summer including the economy, the NHS, welfare reform, families and schools.
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