LEADERSHIP contender David Cameron has pledged to make the Conservatives the "party of the future" - and blasted Gordon Brown as "the person of the past".

The shadow Education Secretary was speaking in Manchester to party members, who will have the final say on whether it is he or rival David Davis who succeeds Michael Howard.

Mr Cameron, 39, said he was committed to a Tory Party that would "reconnect" with major cities like Manchester - where the Conservatives currently hold no council seats.

And he took a sideswipe at Mr Davis, who has promised tax cuts of £1,200 a year for all families, by saying it was "wrong" to write manifestos several years before an election.

Balance

Mr Cameron, speaking at Old Trafford football ground, told the M.E.N.: "We need to find a balance between urban and rural policies and reach out to people in the cities.

"We need to solve problems in the cities.

"I have been very clear on the need for modern, compassionate Conservatism.

"I want people to see the choice as between us as the party of the future and Gordon Brown as a person of the past."

Mr Cameron said the Conservatives' current plight was comparable with that of Manchester United - sleeping giants who were due a big victory.

"David [Davis] is a man of great ability and talent and a very good shadow Home Secretary," he added.

"It is possible we could win the next election under him but my programme makes that much more likely. I would not be here if I did not believe that."