The Tory Party leadership contest is more democratic than you might imagine

Does the idea that the appointment of a new prime minister can be determined by the votes of 160,000 Conservative Party members represent a travesty of democracy?

I note Lesley Riddoch was disparaging about the “octogenarian” section of that voting bloc (Scotsman, 17 June), but if she cares to look at political history over a period of 80 years, she might see it as some kind of democratic advance.

Since 1937, power has passed from one prime minister to another, without reference to the wider electorate, on no less than nine occasions.

In the middle decades of the last century Baldwin was succeeded by Chamberlain, the latter by Churchill; Sir Anthony Eden by Harold Macmillan, the latter by Sir Alex Douglas Home, without even reference to the MPS in their own parties.

It was all done according to the “customary processes of consultation” – outgoing or former prime ministers recommending to the monarch who their successor should be.

James Callaghan in 1976, John Major in 1990 and Theresa May in 2016 all got the job on the basis of most of their fellow MPS voting for them – Gordon Brown simply had to rely on one nomination from within the Labour Party to succeed Tony Blair in 2007.

On those criteria, the current Conservative method of electing a leader seems almost radical.

A disturbing aspect of the criticisms about involving the party membership is the gratuitous ageism. Why should seniority be regarded as reprehensible? Nearly all of those taking part will have followed current affairs and no doubt have been involved in public life in some form.

Whether we like it or not, the over-65s will continue to form a large section of all voters for the rest of this century. Changing a prime minister mid-term will always court controversy. If it has to be done, let’s try to see the positive side of how a replacement is chosen.

BOB TAYLOR Shiel Court, Glenrothes

In a recent interview on Radio 4, Tory leadership pinup boy Boris Johnson claims he believes in “modern progressive Conservatism”. An oxymoron if ever I’ve heard one. But, perversely, I do find myself willing him to win. It would inevitably mean a general election, the removal of this shambles of a government and the return of pro-eu parties who can have enough influence to save us from years of austerity at the hands of delusional and mendacious Brexiteers. Like an enema to purge the impurities, it’s well worth short-lived discomfort.

D MITCHELL Coates Place, Edinburgh