Francis Maude: £3bn of efficiency savings

Getting here hasn't been easy. Any political party has to earn the right to serve in government.  Five years ago when I opened our conference as Party Chairman I said some things that some people didn't want to hear.

I said we had to change; that we had ...

Francis Maude: Our Technology Manifesto launch

Britain today is emerging from its longest deepest recession.  Under Gordon Brown's management Britain was first in and last out of recession. 

At the same time he's delivered a fiscal crisis where the government is spending £4 for every £3 it gets in.  We can't go on ...

Francis Maude Delivering a better public service

The first thing I want to say today is that the Conservative Party value and support the Civil Service. 

Our system of independent and impartial public servants dedicated to implementing the programme of the elected Government is one of the jewels in our constitution and is admired throughout the world ...

Francis Maude: Ready to deliver change

Just in case anyone doubted the depth, breadth and seriousness of our policy review, doubt no longer.  This has been as profound and original a review as this party has ever undergone.  Oliver's led it.  Let no one dare say we're travelling light.

We know that to win ...

Francis Maude: Urgent necessity for financial discipline in government

Thank you George.  You've set out the urgent necessity for a new financial discipline in government spending based on new incentives, new information and new ways of investigating waste.  This paper isn't the last word on what has to be done; nor will the culture change needed be ...

Francis Maude: Speech to Voice08 Conference in Liverpool

"It's a pleasure to be here. Could I just offer on behalf of all of my Party our sincere congratulations to this city and all involved in making Liverpool the European Capital of Culture 2008. It's a fantastic achievement and one that this amazing city can be very ...

Francis Maude: We know the country's ready. Together we can win.

In his speech to Party Conference 2007, Francis Maude said:

We're now at the end of this conference's debates about policy. They have been a credit to the modern Conservative Party. Conducted with courtesy, thoughtful and considered, our debates have been founded on months of sheer hard work ...

Maude: Labour trust the state, we trust society and people

Politeia Spring Address

It's a great pleasure to have been asked to deliver Politeia's Spring Address. Politeia's work resonates with all Conservatives, and has been in the vanguard over many years of the intellectual quest on the centre right.

Through research, debate, discussion and reflection, you address ...

Maude: A Conservative future

Extracts of his speech to the Welsh Conservative Party conference in Cardiff.

"We have a great team here in Wales. And do we need it! This May's Welsh Assembly elections are a watershed not just for the party in Wales, but for the party across the UK.

We have ...

Maude: Opening speech of the 2006 Party Conference

In a speech to the Conservative Party Conference, the Party Chairman, Francis Maude said:

"It's been quite a year.

The year we began our journey back to the mainstream. The year we won again in local elections, and won big. The year our party came together, while the others ...

Maude: Understanding the landscape of modern Britain

Speech to the Conservative Women's Organisation's Annual Conference

"I want to talk about a single simple thing: how we organise and campaign to win elections. Because the only reason this party exists is to secure the elections of Conservatives into public office. And while we've done really ...

Maude: This is a Party on the rise again

Speech to Conservative Party Conference 2005

"I want to start by saying a huge thank you on behalf of all of us to our conference chairman, Paul Marland.

Paul is an example to everyone in this Party. He served 18 distinguished years as a Member of Parliament. But when the ...

Maude: Britain today needs a successful and appealing Conservative Party

Speech to Conservative Party Conference 2005

"Hello, everyone. I'm Francis Maude. I'm the one who isn't standing for the leadership.

This week we remember our former leader Ted Heath, who died so recently. Ted became Prime Minister against all the odds. The first Tory leader from a ...

Maude: 21st Century Conservatism

Lecture given at the Centre for Policy Studies

Introduction

"It is a truth now universally acknowledged that the Conservative Party is in want of change. No one who has ventured into the debate that Michael Howard so sensibly called for has argued that all we need is one more heave ...

Maude: We will fight for Britain's interests

Speaking at a Conservative Party pre-election rally on the South Bank today, the Rt Hon Francis Maude, Shadow Foreign Secretary, said:

"I was, almost literally, born into the Conservative Party. My father went into politics in 1950, having spent some of his prime years as a prisoner of war. I ...

Blair's rigged referendum to scrap the pound

Shadow Foreign Secretary, Francis Maude speaking at a Press Conference. Mr Maude said:

"Mr Blair constantly says the Euro should not be an issue in this election because he would put the matter to a referendum.

But unless the voters can be sure that such a referendum would be even-handed ...

Our vision for Europe – Conservatives

Britain and its relationship within the European Union is a central issue in this election.

The internet revolution, globalisation, the new network world being built around us, help to explain why people in Britain are so sceptical about scrapping the pound and joining a single European superstate.

They understand that ...

Maude: Conservatives lead from the front

In a speech in his Horsham constituency, Rt. Hon. Francis Maude, Shadow Foreign Secretary said:

"Since the start of this election campaign, we have heard more talk than ever before about voter apathy and indifference. In particular, it is said, young voters don't care. The pundits loftily lament this ...

Maude: Voting Labour is a one way ticket to higher fuel prices

Speaking at today's Conservative party press conference, Shadow Foreign Secretary Francis Maude:

"A Labour Government on June 7th would be a one way ticket to permanently higher fuel prices.

"We have already shown how Labour's plans to spend more than the country is earning means petrol at £6 ...

Maude: We will give Britons back their country

Addressing the Conservative Spring Forum in Harrogate on Sunday 4 March 2001, the Rt Hon Francis Maude MP, Shadow Foreign Secretary:

"Thank you, Edward, for your introduction. As you say, we at Westminster and the MEPs have never worked so closely together. We're part of one team. Working together ...

Maude: Spring Forum Speech 2001

We Will Give Britons Back their Country

Thank you, Edward, for your introduction. As you say, we at Westminster and the MEPs have never worked so closely together. We're part of one team. Working together for our high common purpose, under William's leadership.

We must never again allow ...

Maude: Party Conference Speech 2000

Speakers today have all shown that they believe in Britain, they believe our country can be best in world. You all do; so do my team: Richard Spring and Cheryl Gillan in the Commons, who carve up the world between them. Stephen Day, our unsleeping Whip. Patricia Rawlings, who does ...

Maude: Nations and Networks - Towards a New Europe

1. INTRODUCTION

"Anniversaries are a time for taking stock. The fiftieth anniversary of the Schuman Declaration is no exception.

On any audit of achievement, the European Union has much to be proud of. Working together through trade and co-operation, behind the NATO shield that made it possible, has helped to ...