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David Cameron is likely to promise a bright future - after a 'steep climb'

Conservative leader David Cameron is expected to give an optimistic speech today, promising how good things could be.

In his address to the Conservative Party Conference, the man commentators believe is the prime minister in waiting will compare the future of the UK to a "steep climb, but the views from the top will be worth it".

Cameron is not expected to make any new policy announcements in his speech, according to the BBC, but he will have to address announcements made by fellow ministers this week.

So far the conference has in included announcements raising the pensionable age to 66, introducing a National Insurance Contribution holiday for new employers recruiting their first 10 members of staff, pay freezes in the public sector, delaying the Agency Workers' Directive and scrapping Labour's New Deal, should they come to power following a general election.

Speaking to the BBC this morning, shadow foreign secretary William Hague said: "I don't think anybody will be able to say any more: ‘We don't know what the Conservative policies are'. David Cameron will want to show in his speech today, if we do those things, there is a bright future for the country and we can have some hope, optimism and confidence for the future."