Tory leadership
Sir: There is a danger that demands for Mr Heath's resignation will be represented as a right wing plot. Already Mr Peyton's appointment, welcome though it is, has been interpreted as a skilful counter to right wing critics. However, it is my experience, as a party worker, that many people from all sections of the party realise, some with extreme reluctance, that it is not possible for Mr Heath to continue to lead the party. The recent Daily Mail poll of association chairman has been hailed as comfort for him though on this evidence alone it is clear that a substantial number want a change.
It is no longer a question of what the majority want; Mr Heath has now become a divisive figure, a hopeless position for any present day democratic leader to be in. For too long already the party has forgotten it needs to be a coalition to achieve power. There have been too many recent heresy hunts for us us now to endure proand anti-Heath factions.
The only honourable course left open to Mr Heath is to recognise he cannot unite the party and to resign. The sooner he does this the quicker we can rebuild the party on more open lines, embodying every recognisable Tory interest.
Gordon Middleton 9, Moore Street, London, SW3 Sir: The Spectator cannot be accused of changing its tune. Once again your political commentator sees fit to denigrate Mr Heath, and one of your editorials attacks Europeanism.
As a Conservative and a regular reader of the Spectator, I am becoming rather bored. I would prefer it if Patrick Cosgrave could turn his journalistic abilities to some other subjects, and that your editorials might cease to attack those of us who do believe in the future of Europe and the Common Market. Whether Mr Heath resigns or not, it is essential that the Conservative Party does not move too far to the right. The views that have been expressed in recent days by right-wing Conservative MPs, such as Neil Marten and Ronald Bell, are dangerous and would mean an end to the Conservative Party and an end to any hope of economic prosperity for Britain.
The speech of Sir Keith Joseph was positive and a hopeful sign of things to come but if Mr Heath resigns, Sir Keith must not find himself the puppet leader of right-wing Conservative MPs whose aim is to turn the clock back. These men are even more of a drawback to the party than ever Mr Heath was.
Michael Parker Magdalen College, Oxford
Previous page
