Feedback | 15 January 2005

Don’t blame Davis

My old friend Bruce Anderson doubtless wishes to do his friends in the Notting Hill set some good by blaming the continued poor Conservative showing upon David Davis (Politics, 8 January). But he is unjust. Mr Davis has claimed two ministerial scalps, and not just through good luck but rather through hard work and good judgment. Since he took over his brief, the Conservative party has achieved a substantial lead on both crime and immigration.

If Bruce wishes to point the finger of blame, it should surely be at the absence of an attractive and persuasive Tory economic policy. But it must also be at those closest to Michael Howard. Having been lectured at length by Mr Howard about ‘accountability’ at the party conference, I imagine that party members will hold accountable those most directly responsible for any election strategy which fails. And that, of course, is why those around Mr Howard are seeking to parachute in one of their own without reference to the wider party.