May’s disastrous conference speech revealed her lack of faith in Conservative principles
SIR – This year’s Conservative Party conference speeches seemed to become increasingly optimistic, reaching a climax with the appearance of Kemi Badenoch MP.
This gave me confidence – until Theresa May took the stage. I sympathise with her struggling on through losing her voice and dealing with an interruption from a prankster with a P45, but when she spoke of solutions to student debt and energy bills her apparent belief in Conservative principles and the free market evaporated entirely. Jack William Ruddy
London SW6
SIR – In the face of a prankster and a persistent coughing fit, Mrs May displayed all the resilience that she has shown in navigating huge difficulties throughout her premiership.
Unfortunately, the policies she announced, such as new council housing, help-to-buy schemes and caps on energy prices, suggest she does not understand that – more often than not – government is the problem, not the solution. Tim Coles
Carlton, Bedfordshire
SIR – The Prime Minister’s intention to introduce price caps to the energy market is the wrong solution to the wrong problem.
A record 3.5 million people have switched energy suppliers this year. Scores of tariffs are now available from small and independent energy providers which are substantially cheaper than those offered by the Big Six. The Government’s proposed cap will give fading energy giants an excuse to keep their prices artificially high – just under the cap – and claim compliance with the wishes of legislators.
Real choice is available, but for people to take advantage of it they must be allowed to switch providers more easily. The obstacle for many people is the existence of unfair exit fees that keep customers tied to bad deals.
Ban these exit fees and we will see an increased migration of consumers away from expensive energy. Andrew Ralston
Chris Alliott
Steven Day
Co-founders, Pure Planet Bristol
SIR – One impression that emerged from the Conservative Party conference was of a Government unable to inspire the next generation by championing a market-based economy with conviction.
There was stark confirmation that this is indeed the case when Jo Johnson, the universities minister, suggested that the way to fix a malfunctioning student loans system is to give it a new name (report, October 4). Ian Mackenzie
Preston, Lancashire
SIR – When Theresa May steps down before the next election, as she surely must if the Tories are serious about winning, the party must choose a successor with charisma. Solid citizens such as Philip Hammond, Amber Rudd and Andrea Leadsom are deluding themselves if they think they can appeal beyond the Tory heartlands. It has to be Boris. Alexander Mackenzie
London SW1
SIR – In 1948, Aneurin Bevan described the Conservatives as “lower than vermin” at the annual Labour rally for the North of England in Manchester.
As a result the Vermin Club was formed by some young Conservatives. Its aims were, first, to coordinate the anti-socialist electorate, and, secondly, to publicise the dangers of socialism. In February 1950 I was admitted to the Order of Verminhood as a Vermin, and subsequently qualified as a Vile Vermin by recruiting others.
In view of the recent behaviour of members of the Left in Brighton and Manchester, is it not time that the Vermin Club was reformed? Michael Davies
Tatworth, Somerset