Cameron fights for his political life

Last Modified: 03 Oct 2007
By: Channel 4 News

David Cameron prepares to rally his troops with an election campaign looking just days away.

David Cameron will try to rally his party conference this afternoon with a call for "a new Conservative Party with new priorities" to look "forward to the future ".

With an imminent general election looking ever more likely, the Conservative leader urgently needs his party to put aside their doubts and get behind him.

David Cameron knows how much is riding on today's speech. With election speculation rife he must convince party and country he is ready.

His colleagues know this could be a make or break moment the leader of a party that may not have wanted an autumn election, but may have to prepare for one.

As for the delegates they claim to be ready too - and want hear more of the more traditional messages, on core values such as crime, NHS and Europe.

But even if he can tick those boxes - that fact that a general election could be weeks away means it's the audience outside the hall which really counts. Heading for the conference venue Mr Cameron knows there he is assured of an enthusiastic reception - but this speech is for the voters - and whether he can convince them that he really is ready.