William Hague has continued with his confident prediction that he will be in Downing Street on June 8.

"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.

In upbeat exchanges with journalists, Hague returned to his original message, promising to deliver tax cuts despite growing evidence from the polls that the pledge has not warmed to voters.

"I think people now know the difference between the two main parties. People in Britain can be in no doubt. A Conservative government will cut taxes while a Labour government would raise them," Hague said.

He set out a timetable of his first days of office. Hague said he would appoint three fewer cabinet ministers and 12 fewer junior ministers. Tough targets would be set for the civil service to deliver savings on administration of two per cent in his first year I office. Savings of five and 10 per cent would be expected in the two following years he said.

Hague returned to the weekend's theme of bursting Tony Blair's bubble accusing Labour of being "presumptuousness, complacency and arrogance" over the possibility of a landslide result.

"We're saying vote Conservative. We're saying we have the best programme for government.Whether you're going to vote for us or not vote. But what we are saying to voters is if they feel let down or conned they should vote Conservative."

He accused Labour of beginning the row over majorities. "They started it. Alastair Campbell gave out polls saying they were going to win in an attempt to put us off. They cannot then complain when other people comment about it."

Michael Portillo, asked to comment on Hague's leadership of the election, said: "William has led a really magnificent campaign. William has led frrom the front. His energy is boundless. We have all really enjoyed participating in this campaign. It has been the most harmonious event in politics I can remember."