KENT MP Michael Howard has confirmed that he is to enter the race to lead the Conservative party – amid signs he could be the only candidate on the starting block.

In a speech cheered loudly by fellow MPs at Wesminster, the Folkestone and Hythe MP promised to put an end to the internal fighting which so undermined Iain Duncan Smith.

And he also warned that the party still had a long way to go before it recovered its position in the polls and was trusted by voters.

While the party had had begun to unveil promising policies, Mr Howard cautioned that it was still "in the foot hills" of its ascent.

He stressed: “I wasn't born into the Conservative Party. I chose it. I chose it because I thought, as I still do, that it offers Britain it's brightest future. There will be no place for ancient feuds or ranking discords."

"I will lead this party from its centre. I will call on the talents of all of the party and the party will expect all to answer that call. There will be no narrow political opportunism from us - I will tell the truth. I will tell it as I see it."

Mr Howard said he was determined to offer the public "realistic alternatives", saying that was the only way to "revive people's trust" in politics. We must look forward, not back.”

His speech drew immediate praise from the Ashford MP Damian Green. He said: “I was very encouraged to hear what he said about putting the party in the centre ground because I have always believed that is where we will win from.

"Michael has support from across all wings of the party and I intend to back him even if there are other candidates.”

Mr Howard's constituency chairman David Monk echoed: “I’m very pleased that he is to stand for leadership and I’m sure he will make an excellent leader for the party.

I don’t think the constituency will suffer - we’ve had Michael as our MP for the last 20 years and during that time he’s been a Cabinet Minster and we didn’t suffer then, so I see no reason why would suffer now.

He shrugged off the suggestion that at 62, Mr Howard was too old.

“That’s complete and utter nonsense. He’s a very fit man and I defy any of them to keep up with him when he’s canvassing because he goes at a rapid rate of knots and these days 62 isn’t old. We are the new generation that’s come through and we’re all fit and there’s no reason why we can’t go on until we’re 80.”

Nominations for the leadership close next Thursday (November 6).