Francis Maude has spent fifty minutes answering questions posed by ConservativeHome readers and others. Jonathan Sheppard's exclusive interview can be downloaded from ToryRadio.
In this first interview of a what will be a regular ConservativeHome-ToryRadio co-operation, Mr Maude...
...defends the fact he doesn't wear ties - he finds it liberating not to;
...The Tory torch has only been around for only thirty years of the Conservative Party's much longer history. The torch will be replaced but this exercise to find a logo that represents the party "as it is", is not consuming too much time;
...promises a "very significant" top-up of the A-list in the summer;
...rejects the idea that he should unilaterally stand down from his own Horsham seat and face open selection against A-listers. He says that it should be for his local association to decide if they want to go through that process, not him;
...regrets using the "mincing meterosexuals" term because the fact that he meant it to be understood as carrying inverted commas was not conveyed;
...dismisses the idea that the Tory leadership wants to alienate traditional supporters and describes ConservativeHome's And Theory Of Conservatism as "persuasive";
...says that northern and traditionalist voters are often as interested in green and childcare issues as anyone else;
...pays tribute to the Welsh party and its unity and spirit;
...says that the Party Conference will have genuinely open debates and will be starting on Sunday this week to give a little more opportunity for people who have to work during Monday to Friday to attend;
...and much more. Click here to listen to ToryRadio's full interview with the Party Chairman.
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Last Friday Francis Maude used a piece on ToryDiary to seek your feedback on the Bromley by-election campaign.
It is to his enormous credit that Francis Maude has embraced interaction with members through this site and Tory Radio.
That contrasts sharply with comments from ukip's press officer this weekend who dismissed the internet and showed his view to be stuck in 1997 by claiming that only porn sites are profitable. It will take some work to drag them forward 10 years, up to the same kind of level that Francis has achieved.
Posted by: Chad | July 03, 2006 at 08:38
I applaud Francis for interacting with members, too.
Is your comment, Chad, the first sign of disillusionment with UKIP?!
Posted by: Editor | July 03, 2006 at 08:51
Lol! No, that's how I went into it Tim. I could see a right mess that needed work!
Posted by: Chad | July 03, 2006 at 09:14
Truly hilarious that the Chairperson of the Tory Party should volunteer that he is a "straight white male", in terms of whether or not he is suitable as a parliamentary candidate.
Ha ha! Do you really think ordinary people are going to vote for this freak show?
Get a grip on reality Gents and stop drinking your bl***y cappuccini. China and India are coming fer cryin' out loud. Manufacturing is being priced out by regulations, taxes and potential employment tribunal liabilities. Arghhh! Right, back to my job until the next unmissable post! Yup, I'm a CH addict.
Posted by: Henry Mayhew | July 03, 2006 at 15:29
Francis Maude's willingness to engage in proper debate, and change his position in response to reasoned argument, is sure to improve his popularity rating in this month's ConservativeHome grassroots survey.
Posted by: Cllr Graham Smith | July 03, 2006 at 17:03
LOL Chad!! UKIP is another windmill for you! Come on, own up! You will be ressuraecting Veritas next! Bless!
Posted by: Annabel Herriott | July 03, 2006 at 17:08
LOL...Maude should be talking to the grassroots as part of his job without needing an increase to his popularity. An increase to his popularity is if he actually takes into account what the grassroots think aqnd make it policy. And if the constituency Im in is anything to go by, Maude is lacking in his effectiveness.
Posted by: James Maskell | July 03, 2006 at 20:11
Francis Maude is a top bloke who is doing a great deal to drive this party towards its next period of government. We should be giving him and Dave Cameron our full, enthusiastic and unstinting support.
Posted by: David Banks | July 03, 2006 at 20:56
"LOL Chad!! UKIP is another windmill for you! Come on, own up! You will be ressuraecting Veritas next! Bless!"
You've experienced 5 leaders in just 9 years. Forgive me for trying to catch up Annabel! ;-)
Posted by: Chad | July 03, 2006 at 20:59
I wonder if the Chairman would take up the suggestion of one of my London colleagues, namely that whilst the MPs should elect the leader, the members should elect the chairman?
Posted by: John Moss | July 03, 2006 at 21:38
FRancis Maude could well be a top bloke. But from what Im seeing, hes just a yes-man.
As for full, enthusiastic and unstinting support, I need to see something to support first because this New Tory Party is a pressure group not a political party.
Posted by: James Maskell | July 03, 2006 at 21:45
For Francis Maude. (1) Do wear a tie when "at business". It's sluttish not to (now there is a non-sexist use of word for you).
(2) After Bromley and Chislehurst you said that (the appaling) result shows we need more change. This is exact match of Labour-of-old in the 1980s saying after each election defeat that we, the electorate needed to see more Left wing policies.
On that basis, stand by for a FOURHT ELECTION DEFEAT.
Posted by: John Makra | July 04, 2006 at 13:59
C'mon John, Thats a bit rude!
i thought it was a great interview
Posted by: David Banks | July 04, 2006 at 14:06