Tory strategy lacks direction

Cities like Leeds and Hull are already paying a heavy price as a result of successive governments failing to adequately invest in meaningful measures to tackle congestion. The issue is whether the Shadow Business Secretary can be taken at his word?

So far, the Conservative's primary transport commitment is the advancement of high-speed rail plans. Its key players, including Theresa Villiers, the Shadow Transport Secretary have been coy about their other plans, while being quick to lament Labour's record.

Yet, despite Mr Clarke's vast experience as a former Chancellor of Exchequer, his remarks on the need to progress infrastructure projects, as part of a wider programme on economic recovery, could just as easily be overtaken by the latest interventions of David Cameron, the Tory leader, or George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor.

For, despite the seriousness of the recession, the mixed messages emanating from the Tory front bench do not inspire confidence on an election eve. First, Mr Osborne promises to take tough decisions on day one of a Conservative government to lower the budget deficit – and then Mr Cameron tones down this commitment in a weekend interview.

This is also compounded by the party's mixed messages over their future intentions towards regional development agencies, like Yorkshire Forward. The policy position appears to be determined by the make-up of the audience being addressed by the Tory high command.

While accepting the continuing uncertainty about the size of the deficit and the fact that a Budget will have to be held before polling day, it does not excuse the Conservative's lack of clarity on key economic policies. The consequence is voters are none the wiser about whether the Tories will fund road improvements, or not.