25 JANUARY 1975, Page 5

Fraser's prospects

I see that Hugh Fraser, Lady Antonia's husband, and Lord Longford's son-in-law, is to be a candidate in the Tory leadership election. Fraser, it is said, does not seriously think he can win, but is keeping the spot warm for somebody else — in this case, Willie Whitelaw. The idea is to prevent Margaret Thatcher getting in on the first ballot, for she is the only one with the nerve to challenge Heath then. Fraser will no doubt pick up a number of votes. He will pick up the anti-feminists who cannot stand Heath, either, and even a few youngsters, like Jonathan Aitken, with whom he has had shared interests.