Fallen idol
Sir: We agree with the article by Ferdinand Mount (18 February). Having met Mr Heath at the House of Commons during a tea party organised by the Oxford Tory Reform Group, being aware of his reputation as a man of vision and a statesman, we were disappointed.
Mr Heath was patronising, cold and bitter. Every public figure who was mentioned was criticised and disregarded by him — US Treasury Secretary Blumenthal was dismissed as an 'office boy'. The only man whom Mr Heath admired was himself; every decision taken by his government, including such ephemeral matters as the Consumer Council, was defended urgently.
When asked whether the Conservative Party deserved to win the next election, Mr Heath replied ambiguously and doubtfully. 'I have always campaigned vigorously,' was his answer to the question, would he do so in the future.
There seems, far beyond disagreements over particular policies, no genuine loy alty left for the party he served and led for so many years. In abstaining on the vote on the Scotland Bill the former Prime Minister and Chief Whip displayed publicly his delight in defying his party's whip.
David Steiner Warwick Lightfoot Oxford Union Society, Frewin Court, Oxford
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