WE believe in strong political opposition, nationally and locally.

The opposition throughout the Blair years has been ineffective and that has ultimately been detrimental to his Government and the country.

It is therefore vital that the Tories get it right this time and, with ballot papers dropping on party members' doormats this weekend, there is a choice between David Cameron and David Davis.

Mr Davis, having undermined his chances with a lacklustre performance at the party conference, regained some lost ground with a more polished display during Thursday's Question Time showdown.

But the Tories desperately need a fresh approach from someone who can appeal to more than traditional party voters. Mr Cameron, despite his relative inexperience, has a dynamism and a charisma which Mr Davis lacks.

And, dare we say it, he has an easy charm which is reminiscent of Mr Blair when he emerged as Labour's bright new hope.

The party opted for Michael Howard as a "safe pair of hands" in the wake of the Iain Duncan Smith debacle, and it didn't work. He simply did not have the spark to compete with Mr Blair, despite the Prime Minister's own appeal being in decline.

We fear Mr Davis would fall short in the same way and the Tories - and the country - cannot afford for that to happen.