Lady in waiting Sir: John Grigg's commentary (19 June) on
'Lady in waiting' is hardly fair to Mrs Thatcher and his advice to her that she should desperately woo Mr Heath whose leadership lost us two successive ,lections, Mr Peter Walker, who may not always represent the most appealing face of capitalism, and finally appoint Mr Grimond, whose own constituency may possibly secede. from Scotland, Scottish Secretary of State, is too absurd to merit serious consideration. To try to appease everyone within sight, irrespective of suitability, is the road to disaster as has been only too evident in recent years.
Mrs Thatcher in fact made a great impact both in the US and in Western Germany when she visited those countries, as is generally known. The message she constantly preaches at home, of order combined with individual liberty, is giving new hope to smaller businesses, the, self-employed and other ordinary people who have had little to cheer about in recent years while the Conservative trade unionists, first discovered by Disraeli, are now receiving new recognition by the present leader of the Tory Party.
John Grigg tells us that some prisoners learn to love their chains but he does not add that if this spineless attitude became universal the result would be a communist state.
Mrs Thatcher's call for a revival of freedom and confidence in 9ur future, based on hard work and spiritual ideals, will, in the view of many, inspire a nation disillusioned with politicians in general but longing for a simple declaration of faith. John Grigg may prefer to daily with the Tapers and Tadpoles of political mediocrity which were once swept away by Disraeli's Young England and will, in this generation, suffer a similar fate if Mrs Thatcher goes on her way undeterred by carping criticism.
(Sir) Victor Raikes Chairman, The Monday Club, 53 Victoria Street, London SW1
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