The following letter, which was published in The Daily Telegraph on 5 August, was prompted by Boris Johnson’s supporters’ attempts to get his name on the ballot paper for the election of the Conservative Party leader.
SIR - It is not surprising that some Conservative Party members wanted Boris Johnson to remain their leader (report, August 2). There is rarely much enthusiasm among the party at large for a change at the top.
When Margaret Thatcher challenged Ted Heath at the beginning of 1975, a massive consultation exercise took place, co-ordinated by constituency association chairmen. Heath, who had just lost two general elections, got overwhelming support.
David Campbell Bannerman, once a significant figure in Ukip, who has been at the forefront of the pro-Johnson brigade, claims to be distantly related to Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, the Liberal prime minister in the early 20th century.
Like Johnson, Sir Henry did not have much idea of how to run a successful government. But his premiership came to be regarded as a success because he got very able ministers, including Asquith and Lloyd George, to carry out a major programme of reform.
Mr Johnson might well have survived his scandals if he had not ignored so many talented MPs in favour of accommodating nonentities, incapable of implementing manifesto commitments successfully. No one tried to oust Henry Campbell-Bannerman. He is the only prime minister to have died at No 10.
Lord Lexden
London SW1
