The Tories need to speak of their principles with more confidence

SIR – The manifesto for the recent general election was the worst and least Conservative the Tories have proposed since Edward Heath. As a result, they failed to win a majority.

It is rather irritating to read one of its architects, Nick Timothy (Comment, August 10), saying that the contents of that manifesto represent a desirable future for the Conservative Party. The “post-liberal conservatism” that he and Ben Gummer dreamt up did not cut it. As a result Mr Gummer lost his seat and Mr Timothy his job.

Mr Timothy refers to change. All politicians promise it, but it is the kind of change that matters. The reason the Tories now lack a majority is not because Jeremy Corbyn’s message was strong, but because theirs was weak.

They failed, at the election, to take credit for the success of Conservative policies, to enunciate Conservative principles and to excoriate socialism. The Tories must speak with much greater confidence next time. Gregory Shenkman

London W8 SIR – Nick Timothy rails against the straw man of free-market fundamentalism, as if that’s what we’ve had (we haven’t). He manages not to mention the most urgent issues of the time, namely delivering a true Brexit and curbing immigration (both now in severe doubt).

He was behind the Conservatives becoming, as it now seems, the new SDP, believing that their huge, ageing, natural support base wants to swing Left. That idea could hardly be more wrong, and the Tories are heading for an absolute trouncing next time round on this basis. Andrew Shouler

Grays, Essex

SIR – I am a One Nation Tory who won a marginal seat against the trend twice in 1974. Nick Timothy should go quietly, and allow the Prime Minister to listen to Conservative voices who understand how social care works in interaction with the NHS.

We must never forget either that success is built on what the country does well. That means supporting industry, commerce and financial services, not ignoring them for the latest political gimmick. Lord Naseby

London SW1

SIR – It is true the electorate is crying out for change, but Nick Timothy is misguided if he thinks an inauthentic centre-ground “socialist lite” Tory party represents that change.

The electorate wants an authentic conviction politician who actually stands for a set of principles. That is why Jeremy Corbyn did so well, despite the fact that his socialist set of principles is also sadly misguided.

The reason that the electorate did not vote for what Mr Timothy refers to as an “ever smaller state and free-market fundamentalism” is that they were not on offer from any party at the general election. Had the Tory party offered these it would have won the comfortable majority predicted. Kevin Weyman

Maidstone, Kent