The Prime Minister had her chance to step down with dignity – but that time has long passed
SIR – Your report (May 23) states that those loyal to Theresa May want her to quit with dignity.
I’m afraid the time for that has long gone. Mrs May is destroying the Conservative Party, and indeed democracy itself, while continuing to deny that she is in any way at fault. Adrian Waller
Woodsetts, South Yorkshire
SIR – As we watch the humiliation of the Prime Minister, is it not incumbent on those who purport to care for her to tell her that she lacked for nothing in endeavour, and did her best in hugely difficult circumstances, but that it is now over? Michael R Gordon
Bewdley, Worcestershire
SIR – Apt as Oliver Cromwell’s injunction to the Long Parliament, quoted by Andrea Jenkyns (Comment, May 23), may be, surely the most applicable text is Daniel’s translation of the writing on the wall at Belshazzar’s feast, with only one modification needed: “God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting; your kingdom is divided and given to the Marxists and Eurocrats.” Mark Howdle
London SW13
SIR – It is now clear that Mrs May should never have been elected by the Conservative Party as its leader, let alone as Prime Minister.
She has demonstrated that she never had the necessary qualifications for either job. Whoever succeeds her must be politically astute and statesmanlike, with managerial and people skills (especially the ability to delegate tasks) and a good knowledge of business. They must have outstanding communication skills, and know when to stand firm or compromise.
Above all, they must have a clear vision of where Britain needs to go. Anthony Fernau
Bexhill-on-sea, East Sussex
SIR – Can Mrs May’s stubborn refusal to resign have anything to do with the fact that, if she goes before May 29, she will have been Prime Minister for even less time than Gordon Brown? Michael Phillips
Bexhill-on-sea, East Sussex
SIR – Nick Timothy (Comment, May 23) is correct in describing Mrs May as a “dutiful and earnest public servant”.
However, we had the right to expect not just a public servant but a Prime Minster with real leadership and communication skills on the domestic and international stage.
A sad case of reality falling far short of reasonable expectation. Nigel Dyson
Alton, Hampshire
SIR – Damned by Chris Grayling – surely the ultimate indictment. Bernard Cooper
Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
SIR – Backbenchers, Cabinet ministers and the executive of the 1922 Committee have known for months that Mrs May has to go. They know what effect she is having on the Government and the reputation of the Conservative Party. Yet they have failed to take the necessary steps to make her resign.
Will we have to wait for the history books to be written before we understand this collective paralysis? Julian Gall
Godalming, Surrey
SIR – It is sad that Mrs May is being forced out in such an unceremonious way. True, she appears intransigent, but no one can doubt that she tried to honour the referendum result, and achieve a compromise between soft and hard Brexit. She has been thwarted by self-interested politicians on both the Left and Right. The public can see this. Annabel Potter
Dunstable, Bedfordshire
SIR – Not satisfied with having betrayed the result of the referendum, undermined democracy and potentially destroyed the Conservative Party, Mrs May is demanding that Northern Ireland veterans are treated no better than terrorists. Such is their reward for service to Queen and country.
Any self-respecting Prime Minister would have gone months ago, but still she clings to the wreckage of her tenure. Sadly, many of her hardworking constituency MPS will be collateral damage from her disastrous reign. Who would have thought it could come to this? Mike Bridgman
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
SIR – Incumbent Tory Prime Ministers have departed involuntarily following parliamentary defeat (Sir Robert Peel over Irish policy in 1846), a sharp fall in parliamentary majority (Neville Chamberlain in 1940) and broken health (Anthony Eden in 1957).
Mrs May will be the first to be driven out by massive revolts in both Parliament and Cabinet. Can there be any lingering doubt that she is the worst Tory Prime Minister ever? Lord Lexden
London SW1
SIR – Camilla Tominey reports (May 23) that Cabinet ministers were angry because they had been lied to by the Prime Minister before her speech about her “improved” Withdrawal Agreement.
I am sure that the general public, whether Leavers or Remainers, will find this ironic, given that both major parties have lied to them repeatedly since the EU referendum, and done everything they can to overturn that democratic vote. Godfrey Green
Cardigan
SIR – The Foreign Secretary has gone on record saying that Mrs May will still be Prime Minister to welcome President Trump on his state visit.
Could this be the Conservative Party’s particularly vindictive way of punishing Mrs May for having not yet resigned? Rod Jones
Bride, Isle of Man
SIR – In the current crisis, much of the focus has been on the personality of Mrs May. However, the real issue is a much wider one. She has surrounded herself with a cohort of Remainers, whether politicians (David Lidington, Gavin Barwell) or civil servants (Sir Mark Sedwill, Olly Robbins). She has also retained a Remainer Chancellor, who has persistently refused to fund essential preparations for a no-deal outcome.
A new Tory leader will have to remove from Government the opponents of a true Brexit. Timothy Kidd
Chichester, West Sussex
SIR – As Allister Heath writes (Comment, May 23), no one who believes in Brexit could possibly vote for Mrs May’s deal. So can someone explain why Parliament is pilloried and chastised for rejecting it? Brian Creighton
Poole, Dorset
SIR – Allister Heath calls for Mrs May to be thrown out, and for the Tory party to start listening to voters again.
His article makes it clear that he means those voters who expect a no-deal Brexit and a complete break with the EU. That is the position of many Tory party activists, but not of a substantial number of those who have voted Tory before.
Europe has divided the Tories for many years, but a real and damaging split now seems almost inevitable. A wilful refusal to compromise will put the party out of office, perhaps even permanently. John Cuningham
Cambridge
SIR – Some people may regard Mrs May as the architect of the destruction of the Conservative Party, but the actual demolition is being carried out most effectively by the foot soldiers of the European Research Group. Norman Macfarlane
Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
SIR – As Mrs May’s last days draw near, members of her Cabinet will try to distance themselves from her in order to limit any damage to their careers. We have already seen Andrea Leadsom do this. But it is too little, too late.
Deserting the ship at the last minute does not absolve them of their culpability for the predicament we are in. They are all equally guilty for not standing up to Mrs May.
No current member of the Cabinet should be considered for the post of Prime Minister, as they clearly do not have the required principles – or determination to stick to them.
Major Mike Mckone (retd)
Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria
SIR – If Mrs May was handed a poisoned chalice, which undoubtedly she was, how does one describe what her successor will be handed? Equally fascinating is the question of why anyone would want it. Mrs May’s place in history is assured, but not for any of the reasons she might have hoped for.
The indescribable mess of the Conservative Party demands dramatic resolution. Is there anyone who has either the stature or authority to ensure that the phoenix rises? Charles Holden
Micheldever, Hampshire
SIR – The competition for Conservative leader is going to be fierce, with many candidates – worthy and otherwise – waiting in the wings.
At this time, it’s expedient to issue a warning to Conservative MPS. If those who are conspiring to prevent Boris Johnson from being on the final ballot paper are successful, the Conservative ship will be consigned to the deep. Roger West
Appenzell, Switzerland
SIR – If Mr Johnson is so far ahead, as has been reported, surely the wisest action for other leadership hopefuls would be not to stand against him.
The country needs a swift and positive transition to a leader who can take on the poisoned chalice, appoint a leaner, wiser Cabinet, move forward to deliver Brexit – and then get down to restoring the Conservatives’ reputation as a party that embraces small government and champions opportunity for all. Alex Turner
Basingstoke, Hampshire
SIR – For all Mr Johnson’s charm and wit, there’s no getting away from the fact that he is a highly divisive figure.
Will the vast swathes of Remainer swing voters, who are deeply displeased that Britain is leaving the EU, be happy to vote for him?
Mr Johnson may be popular in certain quarters of the party, but I would urge my fellow Conservatives to think objectively. Bearing in mind who is sitting on the Opposition benches, we need to get this right. James Luke
Ashton, Wiltshire
SIR – For the next PM, stand up Andrea Leadsom. We want someone like you – someone with a bit of backbone, who adheres to her principles. David Crawford
Llandudno, Caernarvonshire
SIR – On Wednesday evening I saw an interview between Emily Maitlis and Lord Sacks, the former Chief Rabbi.
He summed up the current situation well. Of the Brexit process, and the risks of not honouring the vote, he said: “Democracy is one of the most profound political ideas ever … lose that and you lose everything.” He seemed to be suggesting that, even if the decision could be considered misguided, failing to fulfil it would have catastrophic consequences. He went on to suggest that “the problem today is that politicians are too immersed in politics”.
I think we may be reaching a tipping point, which will result not only in a change of Prime Minister, but of the whole political system. Martin Stroud
Cottingham, East Yorkshire
SIR – The EU’S environmental crusade was undermined by yesterday’s elections.
Not only did they cost an arm and a leg, the voting paper was almost as wide as my arm and as long as my leg. One hopes it will all be recycled. Rod Barrett
Bromley, Kent
SIR – My husband had to change polling booth yesterday morning, as the bit of string on the pencil was too short to allow his left-handed X to be written. Dr Gail Young
Dundee