Disciplining Boris Johnson will make many Conservatives tear up their party membership cards
SIR – Boris Johnson is a politician not afraid to say what he thinks and what the majority in this country believes.
If the disciplinary action against him goes ahead I and many of my friends will be tearing up our membership cards of the “Nasty Party”.
Allan Kelly
London SW6
SIR – Having spoken with members about the recent fiasco and threats of suspension for Boris Johnson, I am of the opinion that it is time for Theresa May to step down as party leader.
Her incompetence, deliberate or due to a lack of ability, over the Brexit negotiations has been compounded by the complete mishandling of the Boris Johnson article affair.
I cannot continue to support, or encourage others to support, someone in whom I have totally lost confidence. I believe that it is time for her to go.
Terry Justice
Chairman, Dagenham and Rainham Conservative Association Chadwell Heath, Essex SIR – Which section of the Conservative Party code of conduct is Boris Johnson being accused of breaching?
I have read the code – all a bit airy-fairy, as far as this accusation is concerned. Brandon Lewis, the chairman of the Conservative Party, should withdraw from this fiasco. He is making the party a laughing stock.
The further away from the Westminster bubble one gets (and I’m 250 miles away), the more ridiculous this squabble looks.
Richard Nordberg
Manorbier, Pembrokeshire
SIR – Michael Heaton (Letters, August 13) writes that Boris Johnson should be disciplined “because the comments are potentially incendiary”. With all due respect, this cannot go unchallenged.
Failure to include a test of reasonableness is part of what is going badly wrong in public debate. Indeed, to discipline people because comments are potentially incendiary encourages incendiary reactions. It makes the problem worse.
Offence cannot be measured by whether an individual feels offended. Sooner or later, everyone will be offended by everything and no one will be allowed to say anything.
Mark Allen
East Grinstead, West Sussex
SIR – Brandon Lewis should reflect on what he wished for and beware of unintended consequences.
While I have to admit to a degree of apathy towards politics over the years, I can no longer sit on the sidelines complaining about Theresa May’s dismal performance and total lack of negotiating skills, Michael Gove’s treachery, and now the calls for Boris Johnson’s scalp (with the most astonishing display of political correctness), as the Conservative Government heads, lemming like, towards self-destruction.
I have, today, joined the Conservative Party ready to support Mr Johnson. I expect that many others might do the same. Barry Goldman
Storrington, West Sussex
SIR – All parliamentary democracies need a clown or two; Westminster has Boris Johnson.
However, his gaffe-prone political career amply demonstrates why he should neither lead a political party with serious ambitions to govern, nor become prime minister.
SIR – In view of the state of the Tories in particular, and politicians in general, where can people of Conservative views now cast their vote?
Vincent Hearne
Nabinaud, Charente, France
SIR – It seems to me that some Muslims need to receive diversity training, rather than Boris Johnson.