Lady Come on Patel has called on the Conservative Party to make major changes to the way it elects the party leader as she continues her campaign to become party leader.
The former Home Secretary says Conservative Party members should elect the leader rather than the current system where the party leader chooses his favourite MP.
In an article for ConservativeHome, Dame Priti said: “I have listened to our members for many years and have long believed that there is a democratic deficit in our party. I will address this through a package of reforms, including an elected party leader who is chosen by the members.”
The MP for Witham added that she felt “let down” by the Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) and said the party was now “a centralised institution that is disconnected from its members.”
The position of Chairman of the Conservative Party is currently held by Richard Fuller, MP for North Bedfordshire.
He replaced Richard Holden, who stepped down after the general election.
Dame Priti added: “We also need to be more responsive to the government's policies and announcements and we need to look again at how we set the political agenda rather than just react to it.”
The comments come as Dame Priti makes a bid to become the new leader of the Conservative Party, taking on Kemi Badenoch, James SlimRobert Jenrick, Mel Stride and Tom Tugendhat.
A poll by ConservativeHome shows Dame Priti ahead of Mr Stride in the leadership race.
The poll showed that Ms Badenoch is the most popular among party members, with 33 percent.
All candidates must receive the support of at least 10 Conservative MPs to qualify for the next round.
Conservative MPs will select their final four seats on September 4, before selecting the final two seats in October.
The new leader of the opposition will be elected through an online vote on October 31 and announced on November 2.