The PM and Europe
Sir: The conclusion of your editorial (March 4), 'Physician, heal thyself,' reaches levels in the use of double standards which have been rare even in your present
anti-Market campaign. The Prime Minister's basic theme in his broadcast was the general lowering of standards in Britain. Who has contributed more to this? Is it Edward Heath, who has worked half his political life to achieve a united Europe, who was elected to power on that programme, who took the Whips off the Conservative party in the crucial vote of principle, and who now proceeds in the strength of the overwhelming parliamentary majority he then got to do what he has always said he would do? Or is it Harold Wilson, who became a Marketeer in office when that seemed politically advantageous, who campaigned in the last election in that role, who turned his coat Smartly when the political ad vantage seemed to point the other way, and who now calls down the wrath of Heaven and the trade unions on entry terms that he would have been glad to get when in office? Or, again, is it the seventy-odd Labour pro-Marketeers who were honourable enough to follow their conscience in the Commons vote of principle but now find it expedient to vote against the means to the end that Parliament with their support has willed? And among the Conservative anti-Marketeers, who presumably have your support, are there none who are seeking to settle old scores in this way with the Prime Minister and his closest colleagues?
Which of these are doing good, and which are doing ill, to the moral fibre of the nation by their example and their policies? And your own role, in your editiorials and the obedient echoes of your columnists, in denigrating the Marketeers and applauding this unholy alliance of self-interest against the Market — are you helping or hindering the triumph of integrity? "Thou hypocrite, first take ..."
Roy Smith
Ekely, Dormans Park, East Grinstead, Sussex
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