A Conservative association untroubled by criticism of Boris Johnson
SIR – I’ve read of Conservative MPS supposedly inundated with messages and emails from constituents and local Conservative association members calling for the Prime Minister to quit. Apparently the Lichfield Conservative Association (Andrew Mitchell is their MP) thinks Boris Johnson should resign as party leader and PM.
As Chairman of the Spelthorne Conservative Association I haven’t had a single message, email, letter or telephone call from members criticising Boris Johnson.
A local Conservative councillor told me she was rung on Friday by a journalist who asked whether she’d like to be interviewed on television. She politely declined. The journalist sighed, saying she had contacted over 200 Conservative activists, none of whom would criticise the PM.
People are rightly concerned about the juvenile antics of some, but not all, staffers in No 10. Based on my own experience these past few days, and having spoken to other Conservative association chairs, most Conservative activists see no desire for change.
Conservative MPS should tread carefully over the coming weeks. They can stand for seats and defend them as Conservative candidates because their associations select them. If their associations lose faith in them, the associations have every right to question whether their MPS deserve to serve under the Conservative banner. Michael J Brennan
Chairman, Spelthorne Conservative Association
Lower Halliford, Surrey
SIR – Untenable is the new unprecedented. Sue Mcfadzean
Swansea
SIR – We have lived through a period of arbitrary yet draconian rules. If anyone in a position of responsibility who broke one of those rules has to resign, we’ll end up ruled by the most puritanical jobsworths imaginable. Barbara Scase
Stanton-by-dale, Derbyshire
SIR – However much Boris Johnson’s hypocrisy over lockdown rules enrages the public, I could almost forgive him if his and the Government’s handling of the economy was competent.
“Green” mania is causing increasing hardship, with energy costs and inflation going through the roof. I agree with green policies where practicable, but his pandering to the Left-wing green agenda is the reason I can no longer support the Government. The final straw was the
Telegraph report of heritage railways having to import coal from Kazakhstan when we have still have huge deposits. How green is that?
Gary Easton
Ramsgate, Kent
SIR – Who is paying for all this wine for Downing Street staff ? If Boris Johnson cannot pay for his own wallpaper, it’s probably not him. I sincerely hope it’s not me.
Christine Shaw
Harrogate, North Yorkshire