2 SEPTEMBER 1955, Page 14

Letters to the Editor

The 'New' Conservatism Patrick Medd Thomas the Rhymer John Davenport Compromise on Cyprus Ursula Branston Arts Council Policy Philip James

Bryan Robertson

Belloc `Anadyomenos' Evelyn Waugh Baha'is John Ferraby

THE 'NEW' CONSERVATISM

SIR,—Henry Fairlie's article based on Bio- graphy of a Nation criticises Messrs. Maude and Powell for the spectacles through which they look at history. That is fair enough. He goes on, however, to attribute to 'new' Con- servatism trends which he sees in the book. In particular he suggests that there is a lack of interest in 'freedom' amongst those usually supposed to be the leaders of 'new' Conserva- tive thought.

It may, therefore, be of interest to him to know that the recent CPC pamphlet Rule of Law, which was solely concerned with ways and means of securing freedom in the modern State, might never have seen the light of day had it not been for the enthusiasm of these two gentlemen for the subject.

The problem of maintaining a high degree of liberty in the modem State in which it is inevitable that there should be a considerable amount of Government and executive activity is probably the greatest problem of domestic politics with which this generation is faced.

Rule of Law shows that not only are Maude and Powell interested in the matter, but many others ,(though whether they are 'new' or 'old' Conservatives I would not be presumptuous enough to say) are both interested and have taken the trouble to think the problems out.— Yours faithfully,

3 Hare Court, London, EC4

PATRICK MEDD