ALISON Rowat asks the question: If Boris Johnson is the answer then what is the question? (The Herald, June 13). The reason he is the front runner in the contest to be the next leader of the Conservative Party, and thus Prime Minister, is because of the somewhat curious nature of the electorate ultimately making the decision. The electorate will be the membership of the Conservative Party (if you have been a member for at least three months), which is a number of around 124,000 according to the party in 2018. Like many other organisations, its membership has been on a downwards trajectory with a membership, it is said, of around a million in the 1970s and 1980s.

Mr Johnson could well appeal to a majority of that comparatively select group because the members are among the most middle class in the country; they are significantly better-off than most voters, who take part in elections generally; members tend to be more to the right politically than the population taken as a whole; it has been reported that a majority are for a no-deal Brexit; only a small minority support the state redistribution of income, which position chimes with his statement on income tax at his campaign launch; and many are unlikely to be much influenced by the views of those such as Eddie Mair and Beth Rigby.

It is important to remember, in this context, the identity and opinions of those providing the answer at the ballot box in this particular election. If Mr Johnson is their choice eventually, there are many who will view the future with not a little trepidation.

Ian W Thomson, Lenzie.

WINSTON Churchill opined that “democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time”. He was almost right. The farcical talent, or should that be talentless, contest to elect a new Prime Minister graphically illustrates that whoever controls our system of governance it is certainly not the general public.

When I become supreme leader of these islands, contrary to what you may expect I will not abolish Westminster but continue the policy that the Establishment has pursued for centuries and retain it; then I would only have to manipulate 600 or so willing puppets rather than keep 60 million in a submissive state. The great unwashed would then target their ire at the 600 and not me; sound familiar?

David J Crawford, Glasgow G12.

THE questions asked by the press during Boris Johnson's campaign launch ("Boris looks to future", The Herald, Jnube 13) were a missed opportunity. In their book, The Leadership Challenge, Jim Kouzes and Barry Postner describe five core leadership practices which should have been explored. Good leaders, they say, ''model the way'' (establish principles and goals), ''inspire a shared vision (open minds to new possibilities), ''challenge the process'' (find innovative, imaginative ways to change the status quo), ''enable others to act'' (empowerment) and ''encourage the heart'' (maintain hope and belief).

I am reminded of the remark of former Sports Minister Tony Banks on William Hague at the end of an earlier leadership election: “And now, to make matters worse, they (the Tories) have elected a foetus as party leader.”

Doug Clark,

Currie.

ON the BBC Radio 4 lunchtime news (June 11) John Pienaar talked of the current situation in the competition for the Tory leadership as Carry on Campaigning. The idea that we are watching a follow-up to the Carry On films certainly seems apt.

The question arises as to who of the original company one would cast as the candidates. Certainly Charles Hawtrey would be a natural for Michael Gove, Bernard Bresslaw for Dominic Raab and Kenneth Connor for Rory Stewart. At this point I begin, however, to falter.

The original films featured a shady character with a limited attachment to the truth, a love of the dodgy deal, a strange accent and a raucous laugh so that Sid James might, prima facie, seem right to play Boris Johnson. The blonde bombshell, however, was always Barbara Windsor, who would surely make an excellent Boris. I may need to lie down in a darkened room before I can resolve the competing cases for each candidate.

Ian Brown, Giffnock.

THE Tory fight for the Premiership has started. Each candidate worse than the last. Bribery, corruption and back-stabbing. Just normal Tory tactics.

If I may borrow a line from Robert Burns, who sums them up in a single line: “Such a parcel of rogues in a nation”.

Kenneth Stanton, Dunbar.

THE current Conservative leadership election brings to mind the struggle between Frodo and Gollum for the Ring of Power.

In the current leadership battle, 10 characters are fighting each other to win the ultimate power of British politics, kicking, scratching and biting at each other.

As happened in Mordor, I suspect the victor, who emerges from the melee with the ultimate power, will fall into the fire in the Cracks of Doom, and be consumed utterly.

Gordon Cameron, Alexandria.

IN accusing Jo Brand of inciting violence, Nigel Farage displays a Trump-like thin skin and complete lack of self-awareness. (“Farage claims comedian Brand incited violence with her acid joke”, The Herald, June 13). Ms Brand's comments were not particularly witty or indeed, appropriate, but Mr Farage's disproportionate over -eaction only highlights his lack of judgement and narcissism. In advocating that the police take action against Ms Brand he reminds people of his hate speech and incitement of violent acts made in the recent past.

It was Mr Farage, we recall, who regaled his supporters with tales of "donning khaki and picking up his rifle” if Theresa May did not deliver his vision of Brexit. Should the police charge him with hypocrisy in the first degree?

Owen Kelly, Stirling.

IN his letter today (June 14) Jim Lynch mentions, almost as an aside, within what he calls “a plethora of goodies”, the fact that the SNP Government abolished prescription charges in Scotland (in 2011).

On the face of it, excellent news and doubtless a huge help for those who had long-term prescription needs, but this did not make the prescriptions free, simply that the Scottish (and UK?) taxpayer would ultimately pick up the tab, about £57 million per annum, since increased by 25per cent, I’m told.

No doubt this, and the other goodies, may have contributed to the current £1billion economic black hole.

Charles Gillon, Dunlop.

SCOTTISH Conservative leader Ruth Davidson is spot on with her comments on another Scottish independence referendum, which should only to be justified if the SNP win an overall majority in Holyrood.

This would be a significant vote by the Scottish electorate and is in keeping with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's viewpoint that she would only call for Indyref2 if there was a clear chance of winning.

Dennis Forbes Grattan,

Aberdeen AB21.

Read more: Boris in pole position to be next PM