Letter from London

Three Conservative Musketeers

Ever since he was elected leader of the Tory Party, Edward Heath has had a most embarrassing, not to say humiliating, public position. Opinion polls have consistently shown him lagging disastrously behind his party in public confidence and popularity. At times, the gap has been so disastrous that many Tories thought he should do the graceful thing and step down as Sir Alec Douglas-Home had done before him. Indeed, it was only the inflexible loyalty of Sir Alec that killed a potential “Heath Must Go” movement; for if Heath were to be forced out, Sir Alec was the only possible successor and he would have none of it. Now that the run-in for the election is beginning Heath’s position is secure and he is even making a much better public impression and there are many who believe that though he has made a poor leader of the Opposition he could make a very good Prime Minister.

CB

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Colm Brogan

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British Conservative Party

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Three Conservative Musketeers

Ever since he was elected leader of the Tory Party, Edward Heath has had a most embarrassing, not to say humiliating, public position. Opinion polls have consistently shown him lagging disastrously behind his party in public confidence and popularity. At times, the gap has been so disastrous that many Tories thought he should do the graceful thing and step down as Sir Alec Douglas-Home had done before him. Indeed, it was only the inflexible loyalty of Sir Alec that killed a potential “Heath Must Go” movement; for if Heath were to be forced out, Sir Alec was the only possible successor and he would have none of it. Now that the run-in for the election is beginning Heath’s position is secure and he is even making a much better public impression and there are many who believe that though he has made a poor leader of the Opposition he could make a very good Prime Minister.