4 JUNE 2005, Page 22

Clarke’s your man

From David Meikle Sir: I often find myself in agreement with Charles Moore, but we diverge when it comes to his views on the Conservative party (The Spectator’s Notes, 28 May). Moore disapproves of Kenneth Clarke, saying that if he became leader of the Conservative party it would provoke ‘a full-blown crisis’. What Moore and others forget is that the Conservative party needs a leader who appeals to the broadest electorate. It’s no use him or her being a hoot with the 300,000 odd members; the leader has to be able to attract non-Conservatives or the party will be out of power for the foreseeable future. Clarke is the only man for the job.

David Meikle

Glasgow