Conservative strategists are set to reveal their blueprint for winning the next general election to party activists.

Planners will detail how they think Labour can be defeated when the party gathers on Friday for the start of its spring forum in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Tory co-chairman Lord Saatchi will lead a private presentation on the party’s "strategy for success in the forthcoming elections and the general election".

Despite the government's problems, new leader Michael Howard has yet to make a major inroad into Labour's lead.

The local, European and mayoral elections being held in June will be a major indicator of how the party is doing so the strategy meeting will be crucial in motivating the party faithful.

If the results in June are bad there is likely to be a fresh round of soul searching among Conservatives.

But ahead of the conference, Howard was in confident mood.

"The Conservative Party is in good heart," he said.

"Our task is clear: to offer the British people a real alternative to this failing and discredited government, a government whose word cannot be trusted.

"We need to show people that we can make a real difference to their lives. That is our goal."

The party's other chairman, Dr Liam Fox, is also set to address the National Conservative Convention AGM on Friday.

He too was upbeat about the party's prospects.

"A renaissance of political thought has occurred. It has become permissible, once again, to state openly the philosophical case for conservatism," he said.

"We are rediscovering our ideological self-confidence - and not a day too soon, given the damage which Labour is inflicting on our way of life."