Letter: Major and the manufacturers

Sir: The Prime Minister tells us (4 March) that he was always critical of the view, held by other members of Mrs Thatcher's administration, that a strong manufacturing base need no longer be regarded as essential to the prosperity of the United Kingdom.

If so, why did he not resign (or even raise his voice) in protest at policies and attitudes which were so profoundly damaging to our long-term economic prospects?

The truth would appeear to be that, like the apparatchik throughout the ages, the guiding principle of John Major's career was, and is, his own political survival.

Yours faithfully,

ANDREW MITCHELL

London, W4