Theresa May has defended her description of the Conservatives as the "nasty party".

The Conservative Party chairman insisted she was right to brand her own organisation as "nasty" and denied it damaged the Tories' image.

"I don't think it was damaging to the party," May says of her conference speech to Conservative activists last year, in an exclusive interview with this website.

"The overwhelming phrase that people used to me after I had made that speech was 'it had to be said'.

"What I said to the party was that this was a perception of the party and that people in the hall felt let down because they knew it was an unfair description but it was a perception that had built up.

"I don't think my description was damaging, a lot of people said it had to be said and felt that it was now possible for the party to move on."

Speaking to ePolitix.com on the first day of the annual Conservative conference in Blackpool, May says her choice of words last year was a "catalyst" for change in the party

"I think people now see a Conservative Party that is reflecting their interests and what they are interested in, particularly with regard to public services," she says.

"And I hope they see a Conservative Party that is showing in its action and policies that it is interested in delivering for people.

"And in delivering what people are predominantly crying out for which is a fair deal."

The Maidenhead MP also has a warning for her Commons colleagues who have put pressure on her and party leader Iain Duncan Smith.

"Divided parties don't win elections," she says.