DIVA: Margot, you were recently at Pride London - how important was it to represent your party there?

MARGOT: I think it's very important that we demonstrate our commitment to equality at every opportunity. Boris leading the march was fantastic. I think he adds value to anything going on in London and he did that at Pride, but it's also about being part of change - not just supporting it.

D: What would you say to gay and bisexual women who were tempted to vote for the Conservative Party at the General Election?

M: A lot of people *did* vote for us at the last election. I can understand why some gay people are reluctant to accept that the Conservative Party has changed because we've had a bad record on equality, but David Cameron has led that change - as have the gay MPs alongside him. I can understand why some remain reluctant to believe it, but those changes have happened.

D: You are one of just two openly-gay women in politics though. What would you say to other lesbians who are keen to become more politically active?

M: The best advice I can give somebody is to get involved. The Conservative Party is very broad, welcoming and diverse. But in any party there is always a contribution you can make, whether on a local level - I used to be a local councillor - or in parliament. It's very rewarding.

D: But why aren't more gay women visible in politics? Is representation the responsibility of women - and not the fault of men's repression?

M: There are more openly-gay women in the world, but politics is slow to catch up. Gay people in public life are often men, which is fantastic, but it would be good to have some more women too. That said, women need to stand up and be counted. Men are not keeping women out - there's no sense of that from what I've seen and experienced. Women have got to step forward!