David Cameron says the people of Witney and Oxfordshire will always come first -- even if he becomes Prime Minister.

After a rip-roaring Conservative Party conference in Blackpool that has seen his stock within the party soar, the Witney MP today paid tribute to his constituency for giving him the inspiration to stand as a candidate in the race to lead the Tories.

He told the Oxford Mail he was the only man who could reach out to those disillusioned with politics --particularly single mothers and youngsters.

He said: "I can resonate with a single mother from Thorney Leys in Witney or Blackbird Leys in Oxford -- and I am looking forward to visiting both places.

"I can because I know and understand the aspirations and concerns of young mothers that worry about paying for Christmas and getting the children home from school.

"I believe I can relate to people's concerns. It doesn't matter where you have come from, it's where you end up that counts, and people like my message.

"Part of the inspiration for me wanting to do this job is my experience of being the MP for west Oxfordshire -- that's where my home, my heart and my vegetable garden is.

"And I hope that the more prominent position I have in the Conservative Party and the country, the more I can do to ensure the concerns of Oxfordshire are heard."

Mr Cameron has the public backing of 20 MPs, but aides hope to have the support of 40 when votes are cast next month.

Father-of-two Mr Cameron, 38, said: "There are those who come into politics to tell people what to do -- that's Tony Blair.

"And there are those who enter politics to set people free -- that's David Cameron.

"But we need to update our principles and values to show we are in touch with people's concerns in modern Britain and that modern, compassionate Conservatism is there for everyone.

"It's about improving the health service for everyone, it's about good schools that will help all our children, particularly those from the least privileged backgrounds, to get on in life."

A Conservative government under Mr Cameron would continue Labour's controversial policy of university tuition top-up fees, have an arms-length relationship with Europe and share money from a growing economy between tax reductions and better public services.

Mr Cameron added: "Oxfordshire is a very important part of the country -- you have the great booming city of Oxford, the very successful university and all the spin-offs, including science and publishing businesses, and the micro-economy of Oxfordshire.

"It's a good example of what a good modern economy needs.

"Understanding tension between development in the countryside and the need for affordable homes for younger people is something we have to get right across the country.

"Young people want to know what your values are and whether you are in tune with them, that you can go from the very bottom to the very top.

"It's not just about the material things in life, it's about quality of life. The Conservative Party needs to be very alert to that and I am.

"I want my children to live in a secure country, with a safe, loving family and have good educational opportunities -- the problem with Britain today is that we don't have enough of that security."

At a meeting last night Mr Cameron refused to deny taking drugs during his students days at Oxford University.

He sidestepped questions over cannabis use and his membership of the university's controversial drinking society the Bullingdon Club, saying: "I had a normal university experience."