The Conservatives would work with Rolls-Royce to develop strategies for a “manufacturing revival”, David Cameron said on Tuesday, in a sign of his party’s determination to woo the corporate vote with business-friendly policies.

The initiative would form part of a “new economic strategy” the Tory leader pledged would be the foundation stone of his government’s policies. Mr Cameron set out his legislative priorities for implementing those policies, saying the Tory victory in last week’s local elections meant his party would come under greater scrutiny. “People are entitled to ask us, ‘Where’s your plan?’”