William Hague has countered criticism that he is running a negative campaign based on the assumption of a Labour election victory by telling voters what he would do in his first days in office.

"On Friday you will be surprised and we will be busy," the Tory leader said at his party's Central Office press conference on Monday morning.

Hague said he would appoint three fewer cabinet ministers and 12 fewer junior ministers.

One of his first tasks would be to establish a public inquiry into the foot and mouth epidemic. He would also scrap the National Changeover Plan for the euro.

Tough targets would be set for the civil service to deliver savings on administration of two per cent in his first year in office.

By June 17, a Tory government would have established an "office of civil society" for volunteers and charities and would have changed parliamentary rules so that only English and Welsh MPs can vote on laws affecting England and Wales.