29 JUNE 1991, Page 25

Name calling

Sir: Mr Andrew Gimson (Politics, 8 June) says that in the last Tory leadership elec- tion he `supported Mr Hurd on the jejune grounds [among others] that he was the only Tory among the three candidates'. I am sure that the reason was a sound one within his meaning of the word `Tory', but I don't know what his or any other mean- and `Which party's distortions, evasions outright lies do you prefer?' ing of that word is. 'Tory' is the nickname for a political party which was never formally founded and has never defined its principles.

Even parties which are founded on defined principles will not stick to them. How can the Tory party be expected to do so?

D.E. Folkes 5 Queens Walk, Ealing,

London W5