SIR.—Mr. Angus Maude may be right in listing some points
where the Conservatives should emphasise the difference with the Labour party, but he is wrong in his implied criticism of the leadership. In the minds of those of us working in the local and divi- sional associations, the blame for lack of active and effective opposition must be the responsibility of each Conservative member in the House. Can all of these say they are harrying the Government, prying for its shortcomings and exposing its deceits? There are many of these, but how many are shown up by ruthless questioning and publicity? Are Conservative MPs too gentlemanly or too busy? It is time they got to work and backed up the leadership; front- bench spokesmen especially have a big part. I would like to ask Mr. Maude how effective was his part in exposing the Government's mishandling of the aircraft industry. Surely it is time the opposi- tion in the House rumbled the Prime Minister's trick of creating a crisis and then curing it, thus claiming credit for immediate and courageous action.
What the party workers want to see is a merciless attack on an arrogant, incompetent administration by opposition spokesmen they feel would be able to do the job much better. They will expect a better alter- native policy as well, but the only successful way to get this over is to bring it out when attacking the Labour policies in the House and in the country. Wilson has now had the fair clear run which the electorate would allow to any new government, so off with the kid gloves.
C. G. WAITE
Newton Grange, Newton Regis, Near Tantworth
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