Howard's way

By Nyta Mann BBC News Online political correspondent

It is a problem all oppositions face: when attacking the government, you are continually taunted to spell out what exactly you would do instead.

So for the Conservatives, every time they launch an assault on New Labour's "stealth tax" increases or handling of the public services, they face the same counter-attack: which bits of public spending are they threatening to cut?

I will never stand again for the leadership of the Conservative Party

Michael Howard

"There's no question of cutting the spending," says shadow chancellor Michael Howard.

This doesn't mean the Tories are pledged to maintain New Labour's spending levels, however.

"Our spending commitments, which we will spell out to the electorate in good time for the next election, will not derive from the policies of the present government - because we think their policies are failing.

"So it would be absurd for us to match their spending pound for pound. Our spending commitments will derive from our policies, which we believe will succeed."

Tories 'could spend more than Labour'

Given this formula, it is conceivable a Tory government could even increase that spending, he confirms.

"In some cases our spending commitment may be the same as the government's, in some cases they may be lower. Who knows, in some cases they may be higher."

It is unrealistic and unreasonable to ask us for detailed spending commitments at this stage

Michael Howard Shadow Chancellor

For now, the apparent lack of clarity is a result of the party's policy programme being deliberately vague at this stage, at least two-and-a-half years from the next general election.

Mr Howard promises a full menu with prices will be set before voters when the time is right, but "it is unrealistic and unreasonable to ask us for detailed spending commitments at this stage".

The Tories were once able to straightforwardly describe themselves as a tax-cutting party. Is that still true?

"We continue to believe that low-tax economies are the best, the most dynamic, the most innovative and produce the best results for the people who live in them," he starts.

"But we also recognise that there are some circumstance in which other things take priority, and we recognise that we face a crisis in our public services."

So he would want to cut taxes but only "as soon as I can consistent with all our other objectives, including the delivery of first-class public services."

Slow rehabilitation

The former home secretary, the last remaining big beast of the Thatcher-Major years still on the Tory front line, has enjoyed something of a rehabilitation in his political fortunes.

Who can forget Ann Widdecombe's comprehensive trashing of his 1997 Tory leadership bid when, in a Commons debate, she said he had "something of the night about him"?

If I paid that much attention to what political commentators write about me I'd have probably given up politics long ago

Michael Howard Shadow Chancellor

It was a devastating, electrifying attack. When later he announced he was leaving the shadow cabinet, the political obituaries came fast and thick.

If he finds it satisfying to note the changed tone among the Westminster pundit classes now, he doesn't let it show. "If I paid that much attention to what political commentators write about me I'd have probably given up politics long ago."

But with Tory fortunes languishing, his experience and solid performance - particularly compared to some of his colleagues - has meant his name once again crops up as a potential caretaker leader should Ian Duncan Smith fall under the wheels of a bus or oncoming leadership challenge.

"I've never felt in need of rehabilitation, so I don't feel rehabilitated," declares Mr Howard.

'I'll never stand for leadership'

"But I have no interest or desire in becoming leader of the Conservative Party, because we have an excellent leader in Iain Duncan Smith, whom I wholeheartedly support."

Is the shadow chancellor ruling himself out in a David Davis sense ("I will never stand against Iain"), or in a Michael Portillo way ("I never want the job")?

"I will never stand again for the leadership of the Conservative Party," Mr Howard unhesitatingly replies.

So he rules himself out completely, whatever the circumstances? "That's right."