Any questions for Francis Maude?

Do you have a question for Francis Maude. In the last Challenge the Chairman interview before the local elections, Jonathan Sheppard will be putting your questions to Francis. You can leave your question in the comment section below or email editor@toryradio.com.

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24th April: The interview is now live.

Comments

[Paul D]

I was disappointed with what I perceived to be a rather half-hearted attempt to defend David Cameron's Married Couples Tax Allowance plan on Question Time recently. Do you believe in this allowance or not?

[Modern Conservative]

In a previous interview Francis Maude spoke of the importance of getting more agents on the ground to rebuild the party.

I believe he also said that these would have to be funded locally. If this is right is he concerned this will mean that new agents end up being employed in regions where the party is already strong rather than in those where the party is not?

[simon]

Q to Mr Maude: Why do some Conservative associations not have ANY contact with their members until it's election time and asking people to deliver leaflets etc? Should not associations be more proactive in letting members know what they are doing and what is going on politically in the form of a monthy ( or even quarterly) newsletter? It is mindboggling that members are ignored in this way.

[Jennifer Wells]

Will you say to the Party Board that in your opinion there should be no dilution of members' voting rights in the selection of MEPs?

[Justin Hinchcliffe]

I have serveral memebers who would be ideal candidates for the Lords - what is the process of nominating them to the party?

[JOHN WILLIAMS]

Politics in Cornwall has been prickly for the Conservatives for over two years now. We are all very well aware of the causes of the troubles which were sparked by a former PPC.
The opportunity creates itself to gain a foothold in this Liberal enclave because of the difficulties which the Liberal Democrats are in Nationally.
However membership continues to drift away as good conservatives are still upset by the sackings of some of the best conservatives Cornwall could have had.In addition several former prominent members are still being persecuted all this time later, which is not bodeing well for a future success.
Truro,Falmouth and Camborne is the problem area. The Associations are using the label of Independent candidates to cover for the vacuum of conservatism.
As Chairman could you not decree an amnesty with apologies.

[John Marsh]

Multiculturalism was imposed by the left-liberal elite and then withdrawn by the left-liberal elite after protests from Trevor Philips, John Sentamu the Archbishop of York, George Aligiah and others. It was a socially disastrous policy but the Tories did nothing. Why? Are they cowards? Are they afraid of the BBC?
The white working class has been betrayed by the Labour Party which prefers ethnic minorities to whites. Why don't the Tories show that they understand and are on their side instead of trying to appear liberal as well. Read the book "The New East End" which tells the story of the ethnic cleansing of white people from the East End of London. A disgrace that the Tories did nothinbg to stop.

[David Bullingdon]

Do you regret being called Francis?

[perplexed scottish tory]

Can you confirm or deny the Spectator report that the Scottish and English Conservative parties are to split?

Is this being done to allow both sides to develop individual policies according to the needs of their respective nations, or, as The Scotsman reports, to allow the Conservatives to play the "anti-Scottish" card against Gordon Brown?

[Brian Jenner]

In my experience it is the agent who is the obstacle to dramatic change in most Associations. Especially when they were given MBEs in glory days. Since the Conservatives have lost three elections, why doesn't Central Office sack them all and tell them they have to reapply for their jobs. They have failed dismally to appreciate the need for change, especially in the safe seats.

New Labour's tremendous achievement was to radically change the attitudes of their members. It seems to me that David Cameron is doing nothing to force the local Associations to get their act together. Why not?

[Dontmakemelaugh]

Question: Is he going to retire to spend more time with his family? He deserves it (and so do we)

Is there any point at all in buying him a tie for Christmas?

[Peter Hatchet]

simon 11:11

I second your question.

I experience that all the time.

How hard is it for our councillors to engage with our members (yet alone the electorate) when it isn't election time?

[Jonathan Sheppard]

Robert - not sure I'm going to ask him if he is going to retire :o)You can buy me a tie for Xmas - or even my birthday on St George's day if you like though.

[Londoner]

Does your failure to stand up for Party members' rights on the selection and ranking of MEP candidates imply that you don't care whether activists do anything to support the campaigns, don't care whether the activists ever hear the candidates speak, and don't care if most Party activists with an interest in who our candidates are are totally alienated, with the result that many of them either don't bother to vote or vote UKIP? What steps have you taken to find out the opinions of Party members on this issue, and how many resignations from the Party do you project as a result? Or are you so stupid and out of touch that you have not asked yourself any of these questions?

Isn't it even one tiny part of your role to represent rank and file members in the higher decision-making processes of the Party?

[CarolA9]

In keeping with your policy of a more open conservative party, please can the members of the Falmouth and Camborne Association have the transcript of the tapes of their "Trial" which took place in October 2004. They were promised these transcripts many times.

[North Cornwall Tory]

You visited Cornwall just a few weeks ago to inaugarate the Cornwall Association which is to replace the Constituency and Branch system of Party Organisation. You will have been briefed that a large number of members of my Constituency in North Cornwall are not happy with these arrangements. Cornwall is a big County with different outlooks and interests, and it takes nearly 1 Hour in a fast car to travel its length. Why is the Cornwall Agent Bob Davidson persisting with this foolhardy amalgamation and division of interests.
Our colleagues in St Ives and many other constituencies are also not happy with the Division of Assets as outlined in the Plans.
Are you fully aware that we are volunteers and that we are being bludgeoned into acceptance of Change which the majority do not want.