Dr Fox toes party line on Walsall dinner visit

The former defence secretary certainly behaved himself on a visit to the Black Country, keeping very much on message with David Cameron and George Osborne on everything from the economy to immigration.

And he described 'welfare-ism' as a culture of 'money for nothing', having done more damage to Britain than any political culture since the Second World War.

He was the guest of honour at a Conservative party dinner at Bloxwich Golf Club, where he had come to lend his support to Douglas Hansen-Luke, the Tory candidate for Walsall North.

Dr Fox resigned as defence secretary in 2011 after revelations that his friend Adam Werritty accompanied him on official visits and was handing out business cards saying he was the MP's adviser.

But the Scottish Conservative is held in high regard and a return to the front benches has not been ruled out.

"I've made it clear to the Prime Minister that I want a majority Conservative government and I'm happy to play whatever role is best," he says. He believes the next year is going to be vital, with the 2015 election likely to be the most significant since Margaret Thatcher came to power.

"The biggest issue by far is going to be the economy," he said. "It's going to be how much growth we get, how much employment and how confident people feel. Getting people to understand that such is the high level of national debt in Britain, we're spending more money on our debt interest this year than our education budget.

"I find that talking to everyday folk and you point out the consequences for their children of this borrowing, it really brings it home to people." He said George Osborne's planned cuts in welfare would be considered by most people to be 'perfectly fair'.

But he has not seen any of the controversial Channel 4 show Benefits Street or its depiction of people living on welfare.

"It's not just about reducing the cost of welfare, it's about getting people into work. I've not seen this series but for me it's not just an economic challenge, it's also a social challenge.

"When you have generations of people who have not worked, it worries me what a culture of money for nothing does to someone's self-esteem. It's important that people are proud of their contributions and achievements."

Despite the disagreement with Vince Cable, however, Dr Fox believes the Tory-Lib Dem coalition will last the distance to the 2015 election.

"It will last because there has to be a majority in Parliament to govern. It was never a marriage between two love-struck partners, it was only ever done for the children. It served the country well and it's given us stability."

He is determined to see a referendum on Britain's place in Europe, something David Cameron has promised for 2017 if he is able to renegotiate the country's relationship with the continent.

Whatever role he has, he is certain the next 17 months are going to be a big deal. "With the exception of the 1979 General Election this is most important election I will have been involved with," he said.