Liberal Inquest
SIR,--1 have just seen George Scott's review (August 26) of Alan Watkins's new book The Liberal Dilemma. He makes the same mistake as many com- mentators, and I would just like to support Mr Watkins's view.
The Cheadle constituency—where I live—has always been one of the safest Conservative seats in the country, and deserving a leading Tory as its MP. The growth of the Liberal vote has been one of an alternative vote. The former MP here, William Shep- herd, has always lived in the South and has never identified himself with the constituency. As a former Young Conservative, I know bow unpopular he has
been in the constituency, and his candidature has been opposed at his last two adoption meetings. In local government, the Tory councillors have been undistinguished and not very energetic.
Therefore, the Liberal party has thrived because it produced first a candidate who lived in the area (Roger Cuss) and tlw.n Michael Winstanley, a like- able personality, known both for his TV perform- ances and for his sporting connections. Dr Win- stanley lives in the area, and has been very active, and so hard work has rightly brought success. Again, in' local government the Liberals have produced young active men under fifty, with consequent suc- cess. 1 personally have collected Conservative sub- scriptions from some in the past.
In conclusion. I don't deprecate the Liberal sue- cess. But it is not a Liberal success. It is a success for democracy. If the Conservatives put up a well- known energetic candidate at the next election, they could win the seat back. But they should be warned that Dr Winstanley is making an excellent con- stituency MP, something Cheadle has lacked since 1945.
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