Francis Maude: It's time for us to decide

"Yesterday Iain Duncan Smith called for an end to the frenzy of speculation about his leadership. He is absolutely right to do so. It is impossible for him to lead the party when the only story is whether he will remain leader.

"He calls for his critics to 'bring it on or draw the line'. We should bring it on - and quickly.

"I put my cards on the table. I have formally asked for a vote of confidence to be called. Personally I believe we would do better under a different leader, and I will vote accordingly if a ballot is triggered.

"But if there is no ballot called by the end of the week I, and I hope all Conservatives, will give unequivocal support to Iain. At present we are denying him the support to enable him to do his job while funking the means to replace him.

"It may be that, as Iain and his team suggest, the current problems are stirred up by a handful of "malcontents". It may be that most Conservative MPs are content with the way things are. I doubt it, but none of us know. By the end of the week we will know. Either a ballot will have been called or we will know that Iain is to lead us into the next general election.

"Why do I advocate a change of leader? I supported a different candidate in 2001, but I think Iain has done some brave and admirable things. We are selecting candidates who present a different and more varied face to the public; we can claim much more to be a party that wants to represent contemporary Britain in all its diverse splendour.

"We have begun a process of intellectual and policy revival, and begun to mount a compelling critique of the monopolistic state provision of public services. Through the emphasis on help for vulnerable people we have begun to show Britain that we understand there are pockets of desperate poverty and deprivation that a party dedicated to national revival cannot ignore.

"The worst horrors of the divisions on Europe are behind us, and the party overwhelmingly supports a referendum on the EU constitution. Contrary to all general perception, I think the Conservative Party is less divided on ideology and direction than at any time for three decades. So why change the leader? Why not help him to change the party?

"Well, until recently that was exactly my view. What's changed is that in the past few months confidence in Iain's ability to lead the Conservatives to electoral success seems to have evaporated. Whether it's MPs, the voluntary party, donors or the wider public, it just seems to have gone. I may well be wrong, in which case either there will be no vote, or if there is Iain will win it.

"What is utterly clear is that we cannot carry on like this. Conservative MPs have to understand that there is no external force that will solve our problems for us. The party's constitution places that heavy responsibility on us and us alone. We can no longer hope that the concerns will suddenly disperse or that others will by requesting a confidence vote absolve each individual from what so many earnestly desire.

"If by week's end no vote has been triggered I, and I hope all my colleagues, must dedicate ourselves to making a success of Iain's leadership. It is indeed, as Iain himself has said, time to step up or shut up."