The Conservative Party needs "more policies, more quickly" to appeal to traditional Tory voters, according to former chancellor Lord Lamont.

The peer, who employed David Cameron as a political adviser while he was at No 11, said Cameron was wise to take his time - but must produce more "policy content" around the idea of a smaller state.

In an interview with ePolitix.com Lord Lamont, who believes Cameron is like him "strongly eurosceptic", said the party must put forward policies dealing with law and order, high taxation and immigration or risk losing the core Tory vote.

Cameron, who Lord Lamont describes as a "charismatic leader", has so far focussed on less traditionally Conservative policy areas like the environment.

Lamont, who had Cameron at his side on Black Wednesday when the pound crashed out of the European exchange Rate mechanism, said: "I think it's wise to take your time on policy - you don't want to come out too early with your detailed ideas because they are liable to get lifted by the opposition.

"Having said that, I accept the point that he has got to develop more policy content."

"He is a charismatic leader, he has done well in making the Conservative Party more voter-friendly, but I think we do need more policies more quickly."

Describing Cameron as a "thoughtful, clever person", Lord Lamont said he believes the former PR man has a media strategy and will allow his views to "emerge more and more".

"He is going to have to come forward with some policies on law and order, to deal with the high level of taxation and I don't believe immigration can be off the agenda," he said.

"The smaller state is at the heart of Conservatism and I think ideas have to be developed around that concept."

Lord Lamont said the party had to balance its appeal to open-minded voters with the needs of core supporters.

"If naturally loyal voters of any stripe feel they don't have a natural home in their party any more it is a very dangerous thing.

"Mrs Thatcher constantly increased her vote during her time in office, which is in sharp contrast to what has happened during Tony Blair's time as prime minister when both Labour and Conservative votes have fallen.

"We must not drift into a situation where there are more and more abstentions and that is the option open to core voters."