When failing to connect with the blue collar lovers of Nascar motor racing, he said he didn't follow the sport but some of his friends owned teams.

BBC: Has Mitt Romney got what it takes?

The cabinet minister's remarks come after an outcry among some Conservatives that the party is failing to connect with traditional blue-collar members - following its defeat in the Eastleigh by-election on Thursday.

BBC: chris grayling

Tory Party vice chairman Michael Fabricant said the party had struggled to present a distinctive message while UKIP had managed to connect with traditional blue-collar Tory voters on issues such as immigration and crime in a way that the Conservatives had not.

BBC: Eastleigh by-election: Politicians out of touch - Tory