London: Britain's Opposition Conservative Party is making a serious bid to woo Asians, particularly Indians, saying it needed more women, black and Asian MPs in its rank in the next general elections.

"In the past we had given the impression that Asians were not wanted. But things have changed and we want to build a different Britain. Now is the good time to invest in the Conservative Party your energy, money and talent and we do need more women, black and Asian MPs," Gary Streeter, MP and vice chairman of the Conservative Party said.

Speaking at a dinner hosted by British Asian Conservative Link and attended by prominent Asians, mostly Indian leaders in London, Streeter said his party wanted to send clear signals to the Asian community to join the party in strength.

Earlier, Rami Ranger, general secretary of the British Asian Conservative Link, in a frank appraisal of the situation said in the past "we got a feeling of isolation and neglect in the party".

Asking the party not to promote only "yes-men", Ranger said it should encourage people of calibre from the Asian community and ethnic minority.

"We must change the image of Conservatives as a party of elitist. The party must become truly inclusive and it should encourage people of all walks of life – from milkmen to lorry drivers and civil servants to judges."

He also wanted the party to come out with radical policies in the fields of education, law and order, health, environment and transport.

PTI