Ahead of the conference, former Defence Secretary Liam Fox, long seen as a standard bearer for the right of the party, urged Mr Cameron to reconnect with core supporters.

BBC: UK Politics

But the writer ends by saying that it may be Kenneth Clarke rather than Cameron who has Tony Blair's main gift - of being able to reach beyond core party supporters to the wider electorate.

BBC: David Cameron

Mr Cameron said in 2006 he wanted to "entrench" a British bill of rights, which would outline "core values" and responsibilities, in British law - so it could not be overturned in the Commons.

BBC: David Cameron: UK human rights law review 'imminent'