Iain Duncan Smith - speech 'theatrical and stage managed'

They concede that their leader is not a good speaker, and will fail to deliver "glamour and glitz", but several warn that continuing speculation over his fate could undermine their party.

Mr Duncan Smith has vehemently rejected any allegation of wrong-doing and has presented parliamentary commissioner for standards Sir Philip Mawer with a 40-page rebuttal.

Journalist Michael Crick handed over the document, which contains allegations about the Tory leader's employment of his wife as an aide, on Monday morning, and was delivering more material on Tuesday.

We must put this speculation behind us otherwise the public will think us a laughing stock, a shower AM David Melding

Tory foreign affairs spokesman Michael Ancram blamed the whole episode on a "malevolent force" and Conservative Welsh assembly members said they were behind Mr Duncan Smith to lead the party up to the next election.

Mid and West Wales AM Glyn Davies said Mr Duncan Smith had to stay until the next election - although he wanted former leader and ex-Welsh Secretary William Hague back in the Tory front line at some stage.

Mr Davies said of Mr Duncan Smith's address to the party conference in Blackpool last week:: "It was the best speech I ever heard him make and the hall responded.

Nick Bourne - leadership critics should "shut up"

"He's never been a good speaker and never will be. William Hague was and at some stage must come back.

"But I am adamant that IDS has to stay until the next election. There is no alternative."

Mr Davies added that he felt good policy decisions were revealed at the conference, but these were overshadowed by debates in the media and elsewhere about the leadership.

This point was also made by Alun Cairns (South Wales West) who added: "People need to disentangle the differences between a leader who can deliver or one who pays great attention to the glamour and glitz.

"If he is the latter type, then we will continue in decline."

Speculation frustrating

William Graham (South Wales East) said: "We knew we were not electing a world-renowned speaker, but I felt the speech was well crafted and well delivered and IDS more aggressive.

"The general feeling at conference was that the leadership speculation was frustrating and that it interfered with landing a blow on Labour."

Leader of the Conservatives in the Welsh assembly Nick Bourne (Mid and West Wales) agreed with this view, adding: "I felt the new policies that were announced did get across but it was unfortunate that the leadership issue interfered in this. People should shut up.

"The speech was the best I heard him deliver. Sure, there was an element of the theatrical and stage management, but we saw the leader stamping his authority.

Mr Bourne stressed; "I did not vote for him - I voted for Ken Clarke, but Iain is now leader of the party and has united left and right.

"There is also a range of views within the shadow cabinet which reflect the spectrum of the party."

David Melding (South Wales Central) felt that the policy announcements made, including those on education, crime and public services were effectively delivered by the leader.

''The whole person'

During his speech Mr Duncan Smith pledged to be tough on crime, referred to cutting taxes to create jobs, wealth and growth and pledged a reform of public services to give better choices to patients in health care and parents in choosing education for their children.

But Mr Melding said that the leadership speculation had inflicted damage on getting these policy initiatives across to the wider public.

"We must put this speculation behind us, " he added, "otherwise the public will think us a laughing stock, a shower.

"It's important towards winning or losing the next general election."

As with his colleagues he admitted that Mr Duncan Smith was not a great public speaker but added: "You have to look at the whole person."