Sut,—Nigel Lawson prescribes economic policy as a cure for the
Tory party's present weakness. Whilst this is sound advice, I do not believe it is the vital factor in Tory recovery.. The greatest factor affecting political fortunes at
the moment is personality or, if you will, 'personality—: cult.' Harold Wilson has extraordinary hypnotic influences over people, and television has enabled this to be extended in a mass form. Mr Lawson says the Prime Minister's electoral success in the midst of government failures is made possible through Tory shortcomings. This does not explain the most incred- ible failures and disasters of any prime minister in history being disregarded and immediately forgotten, not only by the electorate, but by the press as well. Had Edward Heath or any other political leader been responsible for the same blunders, the press would have been ruthless in creating an atmosphere of public opinion to bring about his downfall. After every crisis or disaster the electors swallow all the excuses and explanations without a murmur, while the press hail Harold Wilson as a brilliant political strategist. This phenomenon .(to quote Mr Lawson) can only be explained by personality power, plus plausibility which Harold Wilson possesses; he disarms critics and imparts the feeling of confidence in the minds of the masses who, more than anything, want a father figure to whose wisdom they can defer everything. Until the Tories can penetrate this aura which sur- rounds the Prime Minister and blinds the electorate to the failures of Labour, Harold Wilson will continue to hold the support of the masses. The Tory leader- ship must bid for the confidence of the people by showing that they are men of character and trust- worthiness who can best serve the nation's interests; this is the only way in which support will return. In these days of superficial thinking and pictorial com- munication it is the 'image' which finally counts.
RICHARD HARMAN
Linden Lodge, Austen Way, Gerrards Cross, Bucks
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