Andrew Neil: Now, there have been many reports that you have leadership ambitions. Do you?

Adam Afriyie: I’m ambitious for the country. I chose to come into politics from a business background, and I’m happy to serve the country in whichever way people would see fit.

AN: Right, there are reports that you have leadership ambitions. Do you?

AA: I’m not ambitious for any position in government or any position at all in the party. What I’m ambitious for is for the British people to get jobs, and you know, to feel proud of their country again. And I think we can have a future like that if we concentrate on the policies and actually not the personalities.

AN: Let’s just put this to bed. Because they write about you all the time. For the avoidance of doubt, and to put the issue to bed, do you want to lead your party one day?

AA: I have no ambition to lead my party and I have no ambition for any particular position. I’m ambitious for Britain to be back on top, to be a global trading nation, and all of my efforts and the efforts of my team around me, all of those efforts are focused on trying to deliver those policies that will Britain on top again.

AN: So you would rule out leading the Conservatives?

AA: I think you’re asking the same question in so many different ways and I’ve given you my answer.

AN: It’s because I’m trying to get an answer.

AA: You’ve had an answer. I’m not ambitious for position at all.

AN: So you rule out being leader of the Conservatives, there is no leadership campaign behind you, correct, in any way? You haven’t got a small group of supporters pushing your interest?

AA: I’m working with a large group of Conservative MPs to make sure we have a Conservative Britain that is trading with the world, that is outward looking and is addressing its relationship with Europe so that your viewers can feel confident that they’re going to get jobs and they’re going to do well in this country.

Painful…