Mr Arthur, deputy leader of Horsham District Council and its cabinet member for finance, said last week that he was leaving the Conservative Association but would remain a councillor. Mr Maude responded: “I’m sorry Roger has chosen to make this move at a time when a Conservative-led Government is having to make tough decisions and do difficult things. It’s a real pity.” Mr Arthur’s defection had attracted national media attention - it was a page lead in Monday’s Daily Mail - because he was a leading Conservative in the council at the heart of Mr Maude’s constituency.