4 MARCH 1989, Page 25

Decent David

Sir: Ludovic Kennedy (Diary, 11 Febru- ary) recalls chairing hustings meetings with the two Davids. I did the same — more than Ludo did, if the truth be told, and in two general elections — and I agree with him that little disagreement surfaced be- tween Steel and Owen, even under sharp questioning from the floor and the press. What did emerge however was the cool ambition of David Steel, in contrast with the manifest decency of David Owen. Within a week of the election results Steel had shown his true colours and shattered the Alliance. As for Ludovic Kennedy's prediction of 'political oblivion' for the SDP, we shall see. My money is on David Owen, despite his desertion by so many `friends'.

Steve Race

Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire