TAPER
SIR,—Don't let them silence Taper. He is one of the few live and refreshing spirits in contemporary journalism. Taper is very unkind at times, I admit. There are occasions when it is advisable to be slightly dishonest or to hide one's true feelings, as in any discussion of Bolton, for instance. But there is simply no excuse for such reticence in any discussion of Mr. Selwyn Lloyd, let us say. Taper has that rare quality, an utter refusal to be inhibited by any considerations of 'good taste,' which is so frequently a euphemism for being very careful not to attack those in power or authority.
The Spectator has already performed one valuable public service since the war in the literary field by encouraging and promoting those new writers who didn't give a damn for the reigning mandarins. Taper is performing a similar service in the political field and he must be encouraged, even if he does upset a few egos in the process. We all know that some- thing is wrong with the parliamentary system, and in consequence with British democracy, and Taper is saying very clearly, and without any humming and hawing, what it is. It has nothing to do with pay- ment. The notion that to get the best men you must pay the highest salary is nonsense, although this is repeated constantly to explain the shortage of talent in the civil service and the teaching profession. The 'best men' don't care about money. They enjoy using it but it is not their first concern. The 'best men' require, first and foremost, liberty of thought and action. Taper has seen that, at a time when we are struggling to preserve individual liberty in the com- munity as a whole, it is already vanquished in Parlia- ment. Of course the majority of MPs are second-rate. Most parliamentary commentators write as if the activity that goes on at Westminster had the same significance and relevance as had the sessions that really played a vital part in the national life at the beginning of the century.
The fact is, Parliament is dead. One hesitates to say this because one is immediately accused of wish- ing it dead. From that it is a small step to the charge of `Fascist!' or 'Communist!' And one is compelled to admit that one inevitably finds oneself in the com- pany of those who do wish Parliament dead. I would like to see Parliament revived, and so perhaps would Taper. 1 can't speak for him, but I can appreciate his courage in saying forthrightly what the situation is. One must keep eternally awake. Those who were the most far-sighted and understanding critics of the Thirties are mumbling today like superannuated tally- men, still convinced of their own wisdom. Taper is one of the few who can see what is happening, and one of the handful who says so without well-bred reservations.—Yours faithfully,
JOHN ATKINS Braeside Cottage, Mill Lane, Birch Green, Colchester
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