25 NOVEMBER 1978, Page 17

Speak up, Mrs T

Sir: The opinion polls give Labour a 5 percent lead over the Conservatives. There is also heightened criticism of the Conservative leadership. Can one besurprised? The writer has not spoken to a single person who has not deplored the condign and, at the least, ill-tuned dismissal of Mr Winston Churchill and Mr Biggs-Davison. Mrs Thatcher 's action in no way echoed the opinion of the Conservative average ‘..onservative voter nor, I suspect, that of many Labour voters. Speak for England, Mrs Thatcher. We do hot doubt you courage. Do not be swayed by the 'old men' of your party, who fear the ill-balanced criticism of the UN and the threats of the Third World. Both are largely paper tigers. Times have changed, but the British admire courage — no less now than thirty eight years ago.

0. S. Swainson Thie-ny-C hibbyr Colby Isle of Man