We can't keep talking to ourselves Theresa May, Conservative Party chairman

She told Welsh Conservatives at their annual conference that the party could not "keep talking to ourselves".

She said that she had never thought of giving up her post as chairman, which she described as a tough role but one always worthwhile.

On Friday, Welsh Tories heard a series of pleas from senior party figures for members to unite behind their leader Iain Duncan Smith, who speaks to delegates Saturday.

'Remarkable'

Mrs May said: "It wouldn't be right for me to ignore today the recent events within our party, which I'm sure you've followed here in Wales.

Iain Duncan Smith will speak to delegates on Saturday

"It seems remarkable now that so much was made of so little. Whether this was due to members of the media or members of our party, I don't know.

"But I do know that we have now drawn a line under the affair.

"Now is the time for us all to get behind Iain Duncan Smith and to focus our fire on our opponents. "That's what the public want us to do. That's what we are going to do. We can't keep talking to ourselves."

Rocked

The Conservatives have been rocked in recent months by a series of disputes between traditionalists and modernisers.

Mrs May was told by Welsh party chairman Carole Hyde: "We take on board your message on unity."

Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith will also issue a rallying call for the party to come together - with just weeks before campaigning begins for the Welsh Assembly election in May.

He is expected to tell delegates at Cardiff they need to preserve and foster unity at all costs.