Theresa May’s record

SIR – Charles Moore’s indictment of Theresa May’s premiership (Comment, March 9) lacks context.

Her optimistic and inspiring Conservative conference speech, delivered three months after assuming office, set out a compelling one-nation Tory philosophy, which underpinned her strategic political objective to build a broader Conservative coalition that attracted pro-brexit former Labour voters while retaining the support of Tory Remainers.

Lord Moore overlooks the fact that in 2016 there was no majority in the House of Commons for Brexit, which resulted in Mrs May’s logical decisions to seek a compromise soft-brexit deal and attempt to obtain a larger Tory majority by calling the 2017 general election.

Despite a pitiful campaign that lost the Conservatives’ small overall majority, Mrs May won 2.3 million more votes than David Cameron achieved in 2015, increasing the Tory vote share by 5.5 per cent. It is fairer to conclude that she might have been a popular, unifying and transformational prime minister had her mammoth election gamble not backfired.

Philip Duly

Haslemere, Surrey

SIR – Charles Moore’s analysis of Theresa May’s political career passes briefly over her time as home secretary.

Her arrogance and refusal to listen meant that she was – in the view of most of those currently or previously in the police – the worst ever holder of that position.

The damage, as in other areas addressed by Lord Moore, is lasting.

Andrew C Pierce

Barnstaple, Devon

SIR – You report (March 9) on the “Henley plot” for Boris Johnson to take back the Tory party.

Have Conservatives forgotten that, despite his many talents, Mr Johnson was a disastrous prime minister?

Martin Wright

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

SIR – Please don’t bring back Boris. As a social animal, I can never forgive him for those parties during lockdown.

Fiona Wild

Cheltenham, Gloucestershire