Analysis in The Times suggest the coming election will not bring coherence of vision or purpose on the Tory benches.

The survey finds that the new intake of Tory MPs is as likely to be as split on issues such as gay rights and abortion as the current parliamentary party. The Times describes the two groups as the "mods" and "rockers".

Elsewhere, worried Tory PPCs are said to be falling back on the "Thatcher factor" to lift their support at the coming election. Some 45 would-be MPs have been involved in a pre-election photo-shoot with the former leader and intend to use the photographs in election literature.