Labour has issued a scathing response to the Conservatives' re-branding efforts.

Charles Clarke slammed policy initiatives unveiled at Bournemouth as "hardcore Thatcherism".

And he accused the Conservatives of dodging the Europe issue.

But Labour's chairman paid tribute to the conference organisers for running a "slick operation".

Clarke echoed the claims made by Bill Clinton in Blackpool that the message of compassionate Conservatism was "rhetoric".

"The reality is a startling shift to hardcore Thatcherism for the public services that will benefit only the very best off, and do nothing whatsoever for the majority or the 'vulnerable,'" said Clarke.

He claimed the party had refused to debate the economy, public spending or Europe.

"For a would be prime minister and a party that aspires to government to have nothing to say on the biggest issues is absolutely pathetic," he said.

Clarke signalled the government was undaunted by Conservative attempts to reinvent itself.

"I believe Iain Duncan Smith has made a big strategic error: Thatcherism for public services? If that's the battleground then let battle commence," he said.