John Prescott has closed Labour's spring conference with an assault on the new Tory leadership.

Ahead of the June European and local elections, the deputy prime minister mounted a full on assault on "Howard's way".

Attacking the Conservatives, Prescott said the party was set on a cuts agenda.

"Let nobody be in any doubt about Michael Howard’s Way," he said. "Howard’s Way is the way back. For Thatcherism.

"He’s the Missing Link. Howard is the living, breathing connection between the shame of past Tory crimes and the chilling prospect of their future misdeeds."

Recovery?

Whilst he admitted that the Tories were stronger under their new leader, Prescott said the party had not changed its ways. 

"Nothing’s changed. Their rhetoric may have softened. They’ve sharpened up their act, no doubt about it," he told the spring conference.

"But we know, don’t we? We know that they are still the same mean spirited, selfish bunch of political charlatans they’ve always been."

And Prescott said the Liberal Democrats should be discounted as a serious political force.

"Although they’re pretty unpleasant, they’ll never form a government, they just help the Tories to form theirs, and oppose ours," he said.

Record

The deputy prime minister also moved to defend the government's seven-year record in government.

"So when you are on the doorsteps, give some credit to this Labour government. Be proud of what we’ve done," he told the party faithful in Manchester.

"Our record is plain to see. Our commitment is to do more.  Our belief is in peace, prosperity, social justice and democracy."