28 JANUARY 1966, Page 13

SIR.—Mr. Maude is not the first to write of his

party's 'instinct for survival,' but one still wonders what this is. I, too, have an instinct for survival: so do a lot of people (lemmings excepted), so it can be no Tory monopoly. Mr. Maude uses the phrase to explain his party's past survival : but survival as what? If as a party, then the labour party would seem to have an even more highly developed instinct, to have survived so long in opposition. Survival as a government, I suppose; but is it really helpful to ascribe thirteen not-so-wasted years of power to little more than a mythical (and, we are told. now departed) sixth sense? Is the phrase really helpful at all?

24 Bridstow Place, London, W2

IAN PLENDERLEITH