A step too far?

Decontaminating the brand. Consigning to the past the "nasty party" image. Trying to better reflect the electorate as a whole.

He may be, but is the party?

David Cameron's "to do" list for the Conservative party.

While poll ratings have been good, many traditional Conservatives have bitten their tongues over his husky- and hoody-hugging or his adoption of trees rather than a torch as the party symbol.

But for some, David Cameron's latest suggestion is a modernisation too far.

His announcement last week that from January some local Conservative associations will choose their election candidates from all-women shortlists has been greeted with horror among activists.

Of those who responded to a survey on the ConservativeHome website more than 85% said they were opposed.

But can he afford to bow to pressure given that only 19 of the party's 193 MPs are women?

We put that question to Melissa Kite, political correspondent of the Sunday Telegraph.