28 JANUARY 1966, Page 13

SIR.—By taking criticism out of the smoking-room corner Mr. Maude

has struck a revolutionary blow for Conservatism which, to my knowledge, is making quite a few shrewd Labour men shiver a little.

Actually to talk these things out, devant les garcons! Some of the garcons are bound to be shocked, needless to say. If Mr. Heath fails to be- come Prime Minister it will not be because of Mr. Maude, or Mr. Powell, but because of the mindless, old-style cheer-leading like that from the Young Conservative whose letter you published last week. What's more, even if he can't say it out loud, I believe that Mr. Heath knows it.

NORMAN SHRAPNEL

27 Shooters Hill Road, London, SE3