13 NOVEMBER 1964, Page 15

Sta,---I was impressed by your admirable 'Political Commentary' on the

'leper' speech as a major parliamentary blunder. But we all blunder at times;

• the real point surely is that at the first moment of power Mr. Wilson chose deliberately to throw a bomb (which misfired) to discredit the Opposition Leader, and throw it with complete disregard to the customs of the House, or the feelings of his victim. It proved a failure, but it was an unscrupulous attempt to crush his opponent.

'Quid deceat, quid non, oblitus,' he dismayed even his own party, and now only a frank apology can erase the stain left upon his leadership.

MeadoW House, Shrewsbury

A. T. BENNION