Conservative leader Michael Howard yesterday rallied his party for the forthcoming General Election campaign with a pledge to lead a trustworthy government which will act swiftly to address voters' concerns over crime, immigration, tax, the public services and Europe.

In his closing address to the Tories' annual conference in Bournemouth, Mr Howard appealed beyond the ranks of the party's core support to voters disillusioned with Tony Blair's Labour Government and Charles Kennedy's Liberal Democrats.

Although he did not mention the anti-EU UK Independence Party, which last week beat the Tories into fourth place in the Hartlepool by-election, Mr Howard made a general appeal to supporters of all other parties to rally to the Conservative banner.

Mr Howard told his audience: "To those who voted Labour last time, who dream of a better life, who work hard, but feel let down, I say, come and join us.

"'We are the only choice if you want a government that gives you value for money for the taxes you pay.

"To those who voted Liberal Democrat last time, who have lost faith in a criminal justice system with twisted priorities, who yearn for a time when children can walk home safely from school, I say, come and join us.

"We are the only choice if you want a government that will wage a war on crime.

"And to those who have given up on politics, who do not believe that casting a vote will ever make any difference to their lives, I say, come and join us.

"We are the only choice if you want a government that is responsible and accountable to you.

"If you agree, whoever you are, whatever party you may have supported in the past, come and join us."

As he has done all week, Mr Howard sought to capitalise on Mr Blair's problems over the Iraq conflict and the pace of change in the public services by identifying trust as a major issue at the General Election, which is expected next spring.

Mr Howard promised that if elected, he would lead a government which would be accountable and trustworthy.

He argued that the electorate did not expect miracles, but wanted "a government which is generous in spirit and competent in action, a government which is honest, a government they can trust."

Recapping another of the week's central themes, Mr Howard said it was important not to undermine trust by making unrealistic promises.

He said: "We're not going to pretend we can cure every ill. We'll only promise what we can deliver. We're going to be straight with people."