Since British politics is now purged of ideology, is there any point in having political parties?
MICHAEL ROSENTHAL, BANBURY I don’t think it is “purged” – but the good news is that the main parties accept a free enterprise economy, liberty under the law and high quality public services. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t differences between the parties. These flow from our different values. If you look at the difference between Gordon Brown and me, for example, it’s about our values. I believe in trusting people and sharing responsibility: he believes in telling people what to do and taking responsibility away from people and giving it to the state. How can you write a manifesto one minute then ditch everything in it a few months later? STEVE BARNSTON, CAMBRIDGE I’ve always said that in politics, you fight as a team, win or lose as a team, and learn as a team. The changes I’m leading in the Conservative Party are all about learning the lessons of our recent election defeats and building a party that’s in touch with the aspirations of modern Britain. Do you own any flip-flops? FION
