New prime minister Boris Johnson

• I ENJOY reading the New Journal despite the fact that its left wing bias does not always accord with my political outlook.

Nevertheless it provides me with an understanding of other opinions and a balance to my own. I would suggest however that a little more balance in your editorial standpoint would not go amiss.

In your July 25 Comment in relation to Boris Johnson’s appointment as prime minister (Downing Street, Camley Street… and real democracy), you complain about a political system and political leaders “…that has allowed the head of a government to be chosen by a small number of people of a particular party…”.

You cite the appointment of Sir Alex Douglas-Home in 1963 as an example and, perhaps, implying (in the light of Boris Johnson becoming prime minister) that such “undemocratic” appointments are limited to the Conservative Party.

Why did you not cite a more recent example, namely, the appointment of Gordon Brown in 2007? Could this be because he was appointed by a small number of members of the Labour Party?

KAZ STEPIEN
NW1