1 JULY 1995, Page 28

Grubby behaviour

Sir: After the 1974 general election The Spectator ran an article entitled 'The squalid squatter at Number Ten' in which Edward Heath was condemned for trying to hold on to power after the electorate had denied it to him. Mr Heath's grubby behaviour then was little different from that of John Major now. The current Prime Minister's squalor is to be seen in the invec- tive and smear which is daily poured out on Mr Redwood and his supporters. Mr Major has a 'nice guy' image, but we must remem- ber that this is the man who spoke of bas- tards, of the sound of white coats flapping and other such pleasantries. Now we hear of 'Swivel Eyes', of The Vulcan', of `Judas', of `right-wing extremism' and of `Ward Eight from Broadmoor'. Mr Major's sup- porters have coined the slogan `Save the earth: vote human'.

Is this the best the present incumbent can do in presenting himself for election as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom? It is no wonder that his erstwhile supporters are glad to find an alternative — a decent man and a genuine Conservative, who gives straight answers to straight questions and who does not descend to infantile name- calling as a substitute for political debate.

John Shakespeare

64 Leigh Road, Walsall,West Midlands