SIR.—Mr. Maude's article and the reactions to it are clear
evidence that the frustrations of oppo- sition are driving the Tory party into a dangerous and self-defeating mood.
With Mr. Wilson capturing the headlines with a new move virtually every day, there is very little that the opposition can do in the way of making a positive impact on public opinion. The contest be- tween government and opposition is not, and never has been, a contest on equal terms. The policy and news-making cards are so heavily stacked in favour of the government that, assuming equal ability is both government and opposition leadership, th1 government will for most of the time have a clear advantage.
A man of Mr. Maude's experience ought to realise that oppositions can rarely, if ever, win elections. It is government failures which lose them. Policy- making is very important for an opposition, but its importance is not primarily electoral. If tht government appears to be broadly in control of
events at the time of the general election, even the most relevant and inspired opposition policies are not going to win the election.
Between 1951 and 1964 a seemingly endless avalanche of policy statements came from Labour, and had about as much impact as a copy of yesterday's Guardian. Even the first-class leadership of Wilson did not prevent a further drop in the Labour vote in 1964.
Right policies are electorally beneficial to a government because government alone can trans- form aspiration into reality and obtain results. It is, in fact, far easier for an opposition to lose votes than to gain them. It loses votes by appearing to oppose for the sake of opposition, and by in- dulging in fratricidal disputes and public exhibitions of self-doubt. 'Clatter and panache' may give some emotional satisfaction to the practitioners; the elec- toral impact is negligible.
The opposition task is twofold. By the evolution of policy it must equip itself to govern with relevance and coherence. It must avoid extremism and look 'safe.' Secondly, it must wait for a major failure of government policy. When this occurs it must be exploited with energy and thoroughness, in Parliament, in the country and on the mass media. A series of administration failures (and they tend to occur in series) exploited properly might, with luck. turn the electoral tide.
This latter task can be performed only if the party is in shape to take advantage of the oppor- tunity when it comes. The opportunity can be a long time in coming and this is frustrating. But if we give way to the temptations of frustration. the only effect is to diminish the stock of public confidence.
This may not sound like a clarion call to action, and. in fact, it isn't. Only fools confuse rhetoric with reality. Patience and loyalty may not be the most exciting of political qualities, but they are urgently needed by the Tory party now.
MICHAEL J. HARRINGTON
32 Jackson Court, Aldesbrook Road, Wanstead, London. El!
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