Conservatives wonder what happened to the party of aspiration and entrepreneurship

sir – I was brought up in a mining village in the North East with no heating, no hot water and an outdoor lavatory. The whole village voted Labour.

From an early age I knew that I wanted to have a different life and start a business. As soon as I was able, I voted Conservative because I believed that this party supported aspiration and entrepreneurship.

My business was successful and I retired at 55. Now 79, I find that my savings and pension funds are fast depleting as a result of Conservative ineptitude. Even allowing for the challenges of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, this Government has performed abysmally, with its lies, waste and lack of a coherent plan.

I have no idea who I will vote for at the next election – but unless by some miracle the Conservatives change their attitudes, it will not be for them. DM Turnbull Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham sir – Jeremy Hunt’s speech yesterday demonstrated that he has a sense of humour.

After 12 years of Tory rule, we have societal disintegration and economic decay. This Government appears incapable of making any mature decisions. Now it is embarking on another PR drive in an attempt to convince people that it offers them a bright future.

Mr Hunt is deluded if he actually believes that alienated voters like me will be influenced by such nonsense. My Conservative friends and I see his party as totally disconnected from the people of this country.

Michael Gray

Holland-on-sea, Essex

sir – Jeremy Hunt can say what he likes but the truth is that, almost seven years after the EU referendum, we have not seen one tangible benefit from the Brexit that I voted for. We have been promised bonfires of red tape on multiple occasions, but it appears that the matches are somewhat soggy. Charlie Bladon

Cattistock, Dorset

sir – Sir Rod Stewart is sailing – away from the Conservatives (report, January 27). He will no doubt take many of his fans with him.

“Can you hear me?” he sings to the Government. No chance.

Dr Nigel Knott

Seend, Wiltshire

sir – As a previously dyed-in-the-wool Conservative voter, I agree with Sir Rod that the party is unfit for office, but the idea that Labour could do a better job is laughable.

Until a serious, centre-right and truly Conservative party emerges, an increasingly large percentage of the population is effectively disfranchised. NH Bailey

Stockport, Cheshire