The state of the nation
Sir: The state of the nation is. as you say (13 December), depressing and ,your diagnosis is confirmed by the majority of letters to The Tunes this past week on the 'Vesuvius' leader of 9 December.
Theories, remedies, policies shower about us like so many snowflakes—crystallised, so you say, in a silent revolution against the present government's economic policies. With respect, however, the revolution is not against policies but personalities, and in particular Mr Harold Wilson himself. There has surely never been such hatred directed at any Prime Minister be- fore. Almost a year ago (22 December 1967) you were telling him to go in the name of God, pointing out that there were no depths he would not plumb to re-establish his personal power. This sort of diatribe has continued unabated and the basic reason is to me quite simple. It is not a question of policies or abilities. The defect is one of personality. As a nation we will put up with almost any discomfort and depriva- tion provided we have absolute confidence in the personality of our leader, as during the war years. We would suffer discomfort and depriva- tion under Attlee, Eden, Macmillan, Home— but when it comes to Wilson, never.
Wilson's basic defect is conceit, an attribute the British people will not stomach. It is his `vicious mole of nature,' as Hamlet says (Act I, Scene IV). The Governmelit's policies pale into oblivion compared with 'that particular fault.' H. W. Gawthrop 38 Claremont Road, Eccleshall, Stafford
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