5 JANUARY 1974, Page 4

Old friend

Sir: It was good to find that clockwork duck, Mr T. C. SkeffingtonLodge, once more wound up and quacking his platitudes in your pages after so long a silence (December 22). But there was one significant change in this Wilson-lover's latest eulogy of his hero. In the old days the Leader of the Opposition used to be describe the best of this country's peacetime rime Ministers since Gladstone." Now e is merely "one of this country's most competent peacetime Prime Ministers." Soon no doubt he will be 'the best Leader of the Opposition that we've got." In these gloomy days let us hope for more letters in your pages rom this source; and let us hope that hey will be even longer and even funnier. P j. Jones 170 Camden Hill Road, London W8