SIR – David Cameron must have assumed party loyalty, particularly before an important election, would keep him safe from criticism at least from his own side. But, when he revealed he would not seek a third term, if elected PM on May 7, he has proved sadly mistaken.

The Conservative party has a reputation for ruthlessness where perceived failures and has-beens are concerned, and it has not taken long for the knives to come out, even just six weeks before the public votes!

It seems the first ‘quack’ of the ‘lame duck’ leader has emboldened them, according to reports in the press.

For example: “Tory MPs claimed yesterday, Mr Cameron’s comments in a BBC interview had weakened his authority... Backbench colleagues, already planning to force a vote of confidence in him if he fails to win an overall majority, said their task of getting the required 15 per cent to trigger such a vote would be made easier by his remarks.”

I could say, ‘With friends like that... etc’, but wouldn’t want to intrude on private grief!

David Hornsby, West View Avenue, Wrose