Iain Duncan Smith is to stake his future on completing Margaret Thatcher's "unfinished revolution".

Against a dark background of internal infighting and poll gloom, the Conservative leader will take on critics by applying Thatcherite principles to public services and quality of life issues.

He will tell Tories gathered in Bournemouth that it is time to tackle schools and hospitals "with the same energy as Lady Thatcher tackled the economy".

Duncan Smith will use his party's conference to outline a mini-manifesto, "Leadership with a purpose", centred around 25 policy initiatives.

"This is the unfinished business of the Thatcher era. She set out to reform the economy, which she did with great success. Lady Thatcher dipped her toe into public sector reform but that was never seen through because she fell from power and the Tories were overtaken by events," said his spokesman.