Nick Gibb: For too many politicians, 'politics' is a sport. It's as if we were a football team, not a political party

The electorate is not only increasingly sophisticated, but also increasingly cynical. This is reflected in the dismal attitude of voters towards Members of Parliament, of which decreasing voter turnout is a vivid symbol. The Conservative Party is as guilty as Labour but Tony Blair's failure to deliver a "new politics" has compounded the problem. He has squandered a good opportunity to renew faith in politics.

But politicians should not blame voter apathy solely on the media or voter tardiness. Politicians should also blame themselves. It is their conduct and their behaviour that has fuelled voter cynicism. This in turn has reduced the standing of the system and the esteem in which elected officials are held.

The consequence is that people now feel that politicians are not fit to take decisions – lest in taking those decisions they are motivated by self-serving or unworthy ideals. Politicians have to regain respect and restore people's faith in politics. The Conservative Party must require of its representatives new standards of motivation, attitude and political conduct.

Politics is not about career; it is about how best the country should be run. We should ensure that our parliamentary candidates are motivated by the right things. We must weed out the fame-seekers, those motivated by the pursuit of prestige and position, or the book deal or the directorships. Let's use our Parliamentary Selection Board, not only to increase women's representation, but also to ensure that those addicted to cynical and dishonest politics are kept out of the Commons. The Conservative Party must rid it itself of its "Alan B'Stard" MPs and councillors.

We need a revolution in the way politicians conduct their political activities. For example, Labour politicians claim the Conservatives want to privatise the NHS. The truth, of course, is that we don't, and the public doesn't believe that we do either.

Politicians shouldn't over-promise: that means promising only what can be delivered. It means fully explaining how a policy is to be delivered. Otherwise, voters end up asking: if politicians can't deliver what they promise, what's the point in voting? Opposition politicians should oppose the Government only when it is in the wrong. We should support it when it is broadly right – even, at times, help to sell the policy, particularly if there is a large pressure group against it.

One of the most cynical moments of the last Parliament was when we Conservatives voted against the partial privatisation of national air traffic services. Instead of supporting it, we manufactured a reason to oppose it so we could join Labour's hard left in the "no" lobby, and attempt to inflict a defeat on the Government. Thankfully the Government won. Had it lost the vote the public would have seen just how cynical the Conservative Party was – confirming the view that we were not to fit to govern.

We join Gwyneth Dunwoody when she attacks the Government, even though she does so from the left. Why don't we join the Government and attack Gwyneth Dunwoody? Because she is attacking "the enemy", the "red team". It's this tribalism that so irritates the public. The party can and should begin to reverse this culture.

For too many politicians "politics" is a sport. The culture dictates that the members put party above the philosophical debate. It's as if we were a football team rather than a political party.

The cynicism is increased by the yobbish antics of some Members of Parliament in the House of Commons. Real-life debate and argument are not conducted in that way. It has become pantomime, rather than serious government and serious scrutiny.

We have to end this tribal politics. For instance, the Opposition should use Prime Minister's Questions for forensic questioning of policy rather than as a stage for bashing the other team. We should use moderate and reasoned language, more in keeping with what are often essentially technical differences in policy prescriptions. The language should be proportionate and straightforward – not designed to convey one impression while actually meaning something else.

We should be ashamed of the fact that the phrase "That's a politician's answer" has entered common use as a byword for obfuscation, ambiguity or outright deceit. Politicians need to be plain, open and clear.

Until politicians deal with the causes of the loss of faith in politics not only will voter turnout continue to fall but an increasing number of decisions also will be taken away from democratic control and accountability.

The Conservative Party will never be elected to govern again until it is ready to tackle this malaise. The last decade of our period in government was ghastly and steeped in the most appalling cynicism. It is thus for our party now to take the lead in dealing with this problem. If the public thinks all politicians are the same and all in it for themselves then, so far as it is concerned, it might as well stick with Labour.

Some may think that taken together the whole agenda is terribly naive. But it must happen, and any party which shows itself able to do it will be rewarded at the ballot box.

The writer is the Conservative MP for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton