Tories pledge commitment to the North

Dec 8 2006 By The Journal

Conservative Party chairman Francis Maude yesterday admitted he can understand cynicism over the Tories' attempts to win over the North-East.

But he insisted efforts to re-establish the party in the region are for the long term.

Since David Cameron became party leader a year ago this week, the Conservatives have made a point of trying to win back support in Northern cities.

Trade and Industry spokesman Alan Duncan has also been appointed Shadow Minister for Tyneside, and has pledged to make all his policies pass a test showing they would benefit the area.

But on a visit to Newcastle yesterday, Mr Maude said: "We're not expecting an overnight turnaround - it would be absurd to expect that.

"This is a decline in the party that's been going on for a long time." Asked whether the party would switch its attentions to regions where there are more winnable seats closer to the next election, he said: "I can absolutely understand the cynicism that that has happened in the past, but it's different this time."