The Conservatives and the country need stronger, bolder leadership

SIR – I completely concur with Juliet Samuel’s assessment of our present Government under the lacklustre leadership of Theresa May (Comment, January 22).

While Mrs May is dutiful and caring, she is totally lacking in leadership and motivational skills, and has therefore failed in her attempts to negotiate Brexit and articulate a vision for the future of our country.

She is further hampered by her decision to campaign for Remain, by her continued equivocation on this matter and by the presence of Philip Hammond and Amber Rudd in two of the great offices of state.

If we are to make a success of Brexit, the Tories must appoint a new leader – one who will gather a team that actually believes in Brexit, and one with the personality required to carry the country with them. Sue Mawson

Gurnard, Isle of Wight

SIR – Juliet Samuel says everything that Conservative supporters like me have been thinking for months about Mrs May. I agree that the need for change is imperative, but any contest must not be confined to one or two “heavy hitters”. After all, wasn’t that how Mrs May was chosen?

Leaders are born with charisma, dynamism and vision. These are the qualities that anyone wishing to stand for the job must have. Britain deserves the best the party can offer. It must be an open contest, and party members must make the final decision. John Drew

Salterton, Devon

SIR – The Tories must bite the bullet sooner rather than later, otherwise the Brexit negotiations will be fluffed.

However, Tory MPS won’t countenance a leadership race because so many of them hate (or are jealous of) Boris Johnson. That’s the elephant in the room, which no one wishes to confront. And in the meantime the country suffers. Tony Narula

London W1 SIR – Janet Clarke (Letters, January 18) is right that the present incarnation of the Conservative Party is a shadow of its former self.

There was a time when the party proclaimed its belief in individual freedom, free trade, defence, and law and order. In those days, it had a thriving membership and won four successive elections.

Now, however, there is a lack of conviction at the heart of Conservative policy, and we shall not see a change until Theresa May has stepped down. David Saunders

Sidmouth, Devon

SIR – I sympathise with Mary Teresa Moore (Letters, January 22), who complains that her second name has been misspelt since our Prime Minister took office.

It could be worse. During the period of notoriety of another woman in British politics, I was renamed Cherie. Cherry Tugby

Warminster, Wiltshire