Boris’s last chance
SIR – The Conservative manifesto was clear, the majority colossal, the opportunities immense, the Opposition all but ineffectual. Even allowing for Covid, what could go wrong?
But things did go wrong. It is clear from the Conservative leadership vote that the status quo is unacceptable.
The potential of 2019 still exists. Boris Johnson has less than 18 months to prove himself. Is it really so hard for him to sit down with the alleged brains in the Cabinet, draw up an action plan that brings party and country back behind him, and carry it out?
Charles Holden
Micheldever, Hampshire
SIR – There’s no doubt that Boris Johnson needs to be replaced.
However, I don’t understand why Jeremy Hunt is being considered. His performance as health secretary was very poor. Although his recent book,
Zero, showed that he understands what needs to change in the NHS, he failed to act when he had the opportunity.
Mr Hunt is a pleasant, well-meaning man, but would simply keep the seat warm. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t have a new prime minister without Cabinet experience. In fact, if I were a Conservative MP who hadn’t been made a minister by Mr Johnson, I’d consider it a badge of honour. James Little
Epsom, Surrey
SIR – Allison Pearson (Features, June 8) says “the Tories need to find an ace up their sleeves to win again”.
They have one in Nadhim Zahawi, the Education Secretary, who was scrupulously loyal to David Cameron, Theresa May and Boris Johnson, and can unite the party.
Mr Zahawi is a staunch Brexiteer, a successful businessman, and a capable minister who over-delivered when in charge of the vaccine programme. The party’s best media performer after the PM, he is combative but polite, tough but likeable and a firm but pragmatic Thatcherite.
His political instincts – including his support for grammar schools – are in tune with the vast majority of Conservatives, and would appeal to the millions of lower-middle and workingclass former Labour and Ukip voters who comprised a decisive portion of the 2019 Conservative electorate.
I would rejoin the party immediately if Mr Zahawi were at the helm.
Philip Duly
Haslemere, Surrey