4 OCTOBER 1969, Page 24

What hopes for the Libs.

Sir: I feel sure' that many Conservat readers of your leading article (20 Septe ber) would find an echo in their ho when they reached the penultimate senten so apt to their own feelings, 'Perhaps, 0 against his own inclinations, the pilot %k return'.

Mr Heath, so far as one can gather, h not the confidence of large numbers Tory adherents, and his personality see to lack that vital spark of authority will la one looks for in a leader. His honesty a he is quite abOve any semblance of unfai straightforwardness stand out clearly 3 ness—but is that enough in the bit struggle for power that will come in t months ahead?

Election time always brings out both I

good and the bad in the electorate. and si the time of decision draws nearer so d. ei the tempo become fiercer and the prom of wilder and wilder. It will be no differ it this time I suppose, but the claims of b sides, or rather all three sides, will people a clear opportunity of judging factual records of Labour over the past years, the hopes for the future of a I administration and the possible ascension of Liberalism.

All three parties will without doubt enter once again into the realms of making the country a better place to live in, but it is difficult to believe that the voter determined to make his own contribution through the ballot box will not be able in these troublous times to differentiate between la) the present state of the country and its people, and (b) the promise of hope and contentment that could result, so easily, from an administration determined to bring this about.

The linchpin is the leader. Perhaps, even against his own inclinations, the pilot will return.

H. J. Elsley Fieldway, 9 Carrick Road, Curzon Park, Chester