Sir, The general thesis of Lord Rees-Mogg’s article (Dec 12) that David Cameron will be seen favourably by conservative Liberals is almost certainly correct. The policies of the Liberal Democrat Party on acceptance of the European Constitution, the abolition of the pound and regionalisation are definitely not liberal in any way.

I have found that many people who vote Liberal Democrat seem to be unaware that these are official policies of that party. The Conservatives have failed to attract Liberal Democrat voters with the uncertain sound of their trumpet on these issues. If we now have a robust stance from David Cameron on Europe — and the proposed withdrawal from the EPP is an excellent start — there will be an added incentive for Liberal Democrats to switch.

RONALD FORREST
Conservative Somerset County Councillor for Mendip West
Wells, Somerset

Sir, William Rees-Mogg states that David Cameron is a liberal conservative, whose leadership of the Tory party changes the balance between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives. I beg to differ.

I was the Liberal Democrat candidate in Witney in May 2005. At that election, David Cameron won just under half the vote, but he did not create a shift from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives. Indeed, the Liberal Democrats increased their share of the vote and David Cameron’s share was significantly below that which his party enjoyed when Douglas Hurd stood for the last time in 1992.

As for his credentials as a liberal, it was David Cameron who authored the Conservative manifesto at the last election, which included such policies as the introduction of state-funded vouchers for use in the private health sector.

Mr Cameron is a very competent former director of communications. The media have been dazzled by a very well- orchestrated campaign. It’s time to take off the sunglasses, and take a look at reality.

LIZ LEFFMAN
Charlbury, Oxon

Sir, David Cameron proclaims “Compassionate Conservativism” (report, Dec 10). This indicates his intention to spend more public money on those deemed to be in need, usually for short-term political gain.

I suggest that public compassion is a contradiction in terms; compassion is a private matter and has nothing to do with politicians spending taxpayers’ money on public services.

TOM BENYON
Adstock, Bucks

Sir, While Mr Cameron’s pursuit of more female Conservative MPs is admirable, his proposal for a “priority list” to achieve this smacks of desperation.

Two Parliaments have elapsed since the female Labour MPs originally selected by way of positive discrimination were elected. While this experiment may have contributed to the Labour Party’s fortunes, there is considerable doubt as to whether it has been to the benefit of the nation.

The electorate are looking for real policies to improve the state of this ailing country. We are looking for an alternative to mere presentation politics. The Conservative Party should therefore concentrate on seeking only the best candidates, irrespective of gender or race.

RIAZ FAROOQI
Hemel Hempstead, Herts

Sir, I despair at the direction David Cameron plans to take the Conservative Party. Worst of all is his embrace of environmentalism and its “faith-based” science on global warming. Such a position affirms the intellectual bankruptcy of a once principled capitalist political party, only furthering Britain’s slide into statism.

D. S. A. MURRAY
Dorking, Surrey

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