David Cameron has sanctioned a session on preparing for government at the Tories' autumn conference following a summer of media "blitzes" on priority issues, according to internal party documents seen by the Financial Times.

The Conservative leader's decision to discuss openly the Tories' plans for taking over from Labour risks -leaving him vulnerable to accusations of hubris. But Mr Cameron wants to win over the sizeable minority of voters whom polls suggest are not yet convinced his party is competent and ready to assume power.