May axed as Tory chairman role splits in two

The Tory leader Michael Howard has axed Teresa May as party chairman and installed former shadow health secretary Dr Liam Fox and advertising guru Maurice Saatchi as co-chairman.

Mr Howard said that the pair would revamp Conservative Central Office and take the Tory message to the country.

The reason for splitting the chairman's role, the party said, was that the "talents of the Party Chairman have been spread too thinly", and so two Co-Chairmen with distinct roles would be created.

Liam Fox will take charge of re-invigorating the party’s media operation, its campaigning wing and its policy unit; and Maurice Saatchi will deal with the internal issues affecting Conservative Central Office and promote the message of Conservatism.

The Folkestone and Hythe MP said: "Liam will take our message to the country and he will have the responsibility for communications and the voluntary party. Maurice Saatchi will ensure that we have an effectively organised party machine that can deliver."

Maurice Saatchi has a "phenomenal track record" over 20 years of working with the party, and Dr Fox has the "energy and enthusiasm to take our message to all parts of the country”, said Mr Howard.

Liam Fox said that there was a "new mood amongst Conservatives".

"It is our job to capitalise on that and show people in practical terms how we can make their lives better. I do not underestimate the task, but I am tremendously optimistic,” he said.

Maurice Saatchi said: “When Michael asked me to take on this job my immediate reaction was ‘fantastic'! I am really honoured and I am determined to make this a great success for our party and above all our country”.

(gmcg)