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.
