Cameron calls for a snap election

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Mr Cameron, speaking as his party's annual conference was about to start in Blackpool, said Labour had failed to deliver on public services and law and order after 10 years in power.

Asked on BBC 1's Andrew Marr show if the Prime Minister needed to seek a mandate after replacing Tony Blair, Mr Cameron replied: "Yes, I think he does."

He added: "I have always said we should have an early election. We are ready for it, we have the candidates ready in our marginal seats. We have a very clear and compelling message to people which is that we have got to have real change in our country."

Latest polls showed Mr Cameron and his party both trailing badly behind Mr Brown and Labour but the Tory leader insisted: "This week we will be setting out a very compelling alternative - not just saying what we want to achieve but saying how we want to achieve it.

"They have had 10 years, they have failed and it's time for real change."

Shadow foreign secretary William Hague acknowledged their Blackpool conference could be "one of the most crucial of our times" and, in a call for unity, warned critics inside the party against "public self indulgence".

At the conference's opening session he said: "We are ready to replace a Government which has driven Britain down every league of economic performance, doubled violent crime, brought tens of thousands of job cuts to the health service ... "

Mr Hague poured scorn on the Prime Minister after his recent appearance beside Tory former Prime Minister Lady Thatcher at 10 Downing Street.

"Margaret Thatcher would never have devastated the pension funds of this nation, nor kicked its small businesses in the teeth. So you may fawn now at the feet of our greatest Prime Minister - but you are no Margaret Thatcher."