Horsing around
John McTernan (Perspective 14 March) credits Harold Wilson with remarking that politicians should be able to ride two horses at once to qualify for the parliamentary circus.
I think this attribution must be wrong as I heard this witticism in the 1940s when it was linked to James Maxton, leader of the Independent Labour Party in the inter-war period.
Told that one of his few MPs was demurring at having to support policies he thought inconsistent, Maxton allegedly retorted: “If he can’t ride two horses at once what is he doing in this circus?”
In short, I am suggesting that if Mr McTernan is tempted to ascribe this remark to Harold Wilson again, he should hold his horses.
S Beck
Craigleith Drive
Edinburgh