Question: You have been on the campaign trail meeting farmers in Wales [on Friday]. What reaction have you had to your policies?

James Paice: Farmers feel terribly let down and unwanted by the Labour government, and I think they all realise that the only real prospect they have got is with a Conservative government who actually have some understanding and concern about the future of farming in the rural communities and for producing our food.

They are very worried that for the first time in 50 years, food production in this country has actually gone down in the last eight years.

Question: What views have you found towards Labour?

James Paice: There is massive disillusionment with Labour in the countryside. People feel that Labour do not understand rural issues, and frankly treat farmers and country people with contempt.

Question: Do you believe that is a result of specific issues like fox hunting?

James Paice: Hunting certainly is a significant factor over here. A lot of people are very angry at what the government has done.

But there are also other issues, like the fact that farmers are facing the introduction of a very complicated system of single farm payments with massive bureaucracy and regulation, all of which demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the countryside.

They basically want to be set free to manage their farms and meet the needs of the consumer, rather than meeting the needs of bureaucrats.

Question: Farmers possibly have more interaction with the EU that most other sections of the country. How do they react to the sceptical Conservative message on Europe?

James Paice: Europe hasn't really featured on the campaign trail, other than the single farm payments stemming from reform of the common agricultural policy. What people are angry about is that it isn't the European regulations which are causing the problem; it is the way in which they are implemented in this country which is the big problem.

Over and over again, we have been talking about issues to do with cross-compliance, issues to do with dealing with 'fallen stock' or dead animals, all of which are extremely bureaucratic. Although they are based on European issues, they are not as written in Europe.

Question: Is your feeling that the party in Wales is optimistic about May 5?

James Paice: From my contacts and the various constituencies I have been in, the mood is extremely positive and very bullish.

We have very high hopes of gaining some seats in Wales this time.

Question: Is it the same picture in other parts of the country?

James Paice: Yes it is. I am receiving a very loud and clear message from all over the country, particularly in rural areas which is where I am campaigning most, that they really do want a change.

The countryside is crying out for a change of government and they are going to get it.

Question: Is that caused by hostility to Labour or a positive attraction to Conservative policies?

James Paice: Both. Obviously they are very disillusioned with Labour and there is real hostility to the Labour Party.

But there is also a positive belief in what the Conservative Party is offering in terms of the removal of the burdens of regulation, in terms of changing the law about food and food labelling so people genuinely know where their food has come from, in terms of our proposals to shift the balance of power in the food market more towards farmers - all these things are music to the ears of rural people and they want to support us.

Question: Are you expecting more rural seats to turn blue on May 5?

James Paice: Yes, I do believe that. I hope so and I think it will happen from all my experience.