Theresa May’s party will let her say anything to ensure it wins | The big issue

I must say that your editorial (“Will Brexit menace progressive Mayism?”, Comment) did surprise me. You give the impression that Theresa May’s manifesto is carved in stone and unalterable, when David Cameron’s last manifesto has been swept away in six months. I think people need to be reminded constantly that a Tory government’s first priority is not that of the British nation, but the presence of the Tory party in power and if that means including policies in the manifesto that will be ignored after the general election, then so be it.

One needs to read Andrew Rawnsley’s article of the same day (“Something old, something new…”) for a better understanding of May’s tactics. Are we really expected to believe that the overwhelming majority of Tories do not believe that there is nothing wrong with “untrammelled free markets”, selfish individualism and that the uneven distribution of individual rewards is a price worth paying for progress? What we need to understand is that this Tory party will let May say and do anything if it thinks it is going to help win the general election. After that, her position and policies can be reconsidered.
Alan Stow
Tring

I agree with Andrew Rawnsley when he points out the difficulties ahead for the Conservative party, which is asking the country to trust it “with the future by disowning its own past”. Part of the past it disowns is David Cameron’s decision to use the electorate to resolve the Conservative party’s longstanding conflict about its relationship with Europe and the EU. It is surprising that it has not been called to account on this issue by politicians of other parties, perhaps for fear of being labelled Remoaners. The ill-thought-out referendum and lack of planning for its aftermath indicate a lack of responsibility, ineptness and arrogance on the part of the Conservative government. It will reap what it has sown. Unfortunately, the country will be paying the price of its folly for many years to come.
Margaret Sheehan
London SE24

Damian Green (“Mrs Thatcher saw dragons to be slain…”)calls for Remain supporters to back the prime minister, stop playing games and stop deluding themselves that the UK can stay in the EU. As a committed Remain supporter, I voted to remain in the EU for two reasons: fear of the potential for significant economic damage and deep concerns about Britain’s future influence and place in the world. Nothing in the events of the last 11 months suggests that I should change my mind.

Many of our political leaders are fond of referring to the will of the people when seeking to silence those who voted to remain. Yes, 52% of those casting their ballot voted to leave, but this represents only 37% of those eligible to vote: 17m voted to leave the EU, 16m voted to remain and 13m did not cast their vote. On this basis, the country is facing the turmoil of protracted negotiations and years of uncertainty. Does not the experience of the last year represent a spectacular failure of political leadership?

I feel patronised and insulted by the tone of Green’s remarks. I have been consistent in my beliefs and my principles. Eurosceptic MPs and their supporters have complained about the EU for the past 40 years. I don’t agree with their views, but I respect their right to voice them. We live in a democracy, so please do not tell me that I cannot express my sincerely held beliefs and concerns. Decision-making and policy are the better for having been subjected to scrutiny, debate and, yes, disagreement. I should have thought Green would have realised that.
Robert Hopkins
Cardiff