Conservative prospects
From Alderman C. F. Baker
Sir: I was very impressed by the letter from Sir Christopher Masterman and I agree will all that he says. It seems to me that the possibility of the Conservative Party winning another election under Mr Heath is very remote indeed.
Cecil F. Baker 15 Hyde Gardens, Eastbourne
Sir: May I endorse your political commentary on the look of conservatism in the Tory Party, and in particular the comment on its leader's political time wasted at Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
What is urgently required is attention to the emotional, politically sophisticated and highly relevant Celtic fringes by a leader who can establish some degree of rapport with Celts.
Heath has rarely been to Ulster; and is hardly likely to win the hearts of dour, canny Scots — someone of a more articulate understanding and power of persuasion is urgently needed who believes in conservatism and can put it over to Celts. Meanwhile, surely a better effort can be made whilst others are kept away from office who could do the trick. While Northern Irish MPs, who were members of the 1922 Committee and even members of a high Tory club such as the Monday Club, are excluded from the Party court on account of anti-Celt prejudice, and Scotland and Wales are written off in favour of Europe, we Conservatives will get just what the Socialists are after — fifteen years of office opposed by the progressive economic Straubenzee Tories financed by the Liberal Rowntree Trust. You ask, just what are we trying to conserve? Certainly not Ted Heath, but surely the united concept of a kingdom?
William Baird Royal Automobile Club, Pall Mall, London SWI
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