A period in opposition might force the Tories to come to their senses
Sir – Sir Simon Clarke thinks that changing the leadership of the Conservative Party yet again could result in an election victory (“Rishi Sunak has gone from asset to anchor for the Tories”, Commentary, January 15). If there is some miraculous saviour waiting in the wings to salvage this tumultuous group of people and instil some sense of loyalty, trustworthiness and ability to govern in them, that person is well and truly hidden.
While these politicians continue to argue and fight among themselves, there is no saving the Conservative Party. Hopefully a period in opposition will allow it to come to its senses, decide on the way forward, and, most importantly, unite.
Judith Rixon
Bourne, Lincolnshire
Sir – Well said, Sir Simon Clarke. Let’s have a conservative leader of the Conservatives. A refreshing thought.
Geoff Millward
Sandside, Cumbria Sir – Even if Margaret Thatcher were to be resurrected, the Tories would still be demolished later this year. They have it coming, and deserve it. Charles Foster
Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire
Sir – Commentators have been united in saying that a return of Boris Johnson is ridiculous.
I seem to recall a similar chorus about Donald Trump.
Peter Boxall
Haddenham, Buckinghamshire
Sir – As someone who has done so much for the Conservative Party over more than 70 years, I deeply resent Sir Simon Clarke’s remarks. His words can achieve no good and have done a lot of harm.
Rishi Sunak became leader of the Conservative Party when it was suffering from a worse state of turmoil than at any time since the Second World War. He has steadied the ship in less than two years, halved the rate of inflation, started to cut the budget deficit, stood up to the trade unions, cut back on the wild cost of HS2, backed Ukraine, and supported America in trying to keep the Red Sea free for international shipping.
Mr Sunak’s achievements are considerable. The idea of trying to get a new prime minister in the run-up to the general election is absurd.
Patrick Evershed
London SW1
Sir – The Conservatives’ election strategy is to suggest at all times that Labour has no plan and it will take us “back to square one”. I am already sick of hearing it.
Do they think that if they repeat it enough times we will believe it? We are not fools, and the problem with this strategy is that I feel we are already at square one – with a record-high tax burden, crumbling public services and mass legal migration. I could go on.
Bill Budd
Flitwick, Bedfordshire