5 FEBRUARY 1965, Page 10

Take us to your Leader The National Opinion Poll has

received so many bouquets from me that it must not mind one brickbat. No, not about their Leyton fore- cast, although that was so far from the result that NOP have had to institute a survey into the survey. Their new venture is to send to all Con- servative MPs a questionnaire which every 'MP will regard as impertinent. Starting with some innocuous stuff on Simon de Montfort, its real object is to obtain and publish a summary of Tory views, in particular on the leadership of the party. A sample question is, 'Which leading conservative MPs do you think possess the kinds of qualities which particularly suit them to act as Opposition spokesmen? (Please list them in order of merit).' I am sorry to disappoint Mr. Hyett. I will not be returning my form. Nor, I guess, will the vast majority of Tories. And I should warn him that those he does get are going to include some very jokey replies. A strong move in favour of Brigadier Clarke was sweeping the corridors of potver this week.