Oliver Letwin: You Ask The Questions

Why has the Cameron bubble burst so spectacularly – is it because there was nothing really there behind the image? Alex O'Neill, by email

The bubble in British politics is Gordon Brown's honeymoon period. We now have a big opportunity to burst that bubble by showing that we can be the change the country needs. Last week, Gordon Brown announced a series of reheated, top-down policies in a deeply uninspiring speech.

This week, we can show the contrast between that stale approach and our vision of how we can tackle the challenges facing Britain today – by giving individuals more power and opportunity in their lives, making families stronger and society more responsible, and making the country safer and greener.

Who do you think will be the next leader of the Tory party? P Wilkinson, Leeds

There is no vacancy and there won't be a vacancy for a considerable time to come.

Why is Gordon Brown doing so well in the polls despite his boring speeches and lack of charisma? Simon Baker, London N1

The British electorate always has the (rather attractive) tendency to give an incoming PM the benefit of the doubt for a period. John Major got a bigger bounce than Gordon Brown has received in the polls. I don't think anything very surprising is happening.

Did you underestimate Gordon Brown? Andrew Fotheringham, Dundee

No. As a matter of fact, we had a presentation before he took over, which predicted he would do just about everything he has done.

What do you make of the way Mr Brown has associated himself with Baroness Thatcher? Shouldn't you have thought of that first? Raj Singh, London E1

It is convention that Prime Ministers invite their predecessors to Downing Street. I am glad that Baroness Thatcher accepted his invitation because perhaps he might listen to some of her advice – particularly the stern advice she clearly offered him on the need to hold a referendum on the new EU treaty!

Do you feel betrayed by Baroness Thatcher, or do you agree with Norman Tebbit that Mr Brown is closer to her than Mr Cameron? Steve Burke, Cardiff

Of course we do not feel betrayed by Baroness Thatcher. It was the right thing to do to accept an invitation from the PM to meet him at Downing Street. I am pleased that after spending his political career, up to now, opposing everything that Baroness Thatcher has ever done, he can now recognise she was a true conviction politician who changed this country for the better.

Isn't your instinct to cut taxes and why are you fighting it? Peter Kylie, Durham

Although I believe in lower taxes, David Cameron is absolutely right to say that he will promise only what he can deliver. Basically, Gordon Brown has run the Treasury out of money. With all the debt Brown has piled up, promising unfunded up-front tax cuts now would be irresponsible. But we can share the proceeds of growth over an economic cycle and gradually reduce the burden of taxation when it is affordable.

Is public school education an advantage? Steve Brown, by email

What matters is having a good education. That is what we need to give all our children.

Given that most of the Shadow Cabinet (including you) have second jobs, is it any surprise that you are making so many mistakes in the political arena? R Shah, Ealing

I have always believed it is a good thing for politicians to be part of the real world rather than just being politicians. That is one of the reasons why I have voted against every pay rise for MPs since I entered Parliament – and why I voted against, and don't take, the increased pension.

Why have the Tories become the nasty party again, endlessly banging on about immigrants, crime, the 'broken society' and 'anarchy in the UK'? Alison Simmonds, York

I am afraid I cannot imagine how you have got that wildly false impression. If you read our social justice policy group report and see the progressive measures it proposes to mend our broken society by lifting people out of poverty you will see how David Cameron has changed the Conservative Party.

Why was the Tory policy review such a mess, letting the likes of John Redwood and Zac Goldsmith out into the daylight and confusing the electorate? Jon Harvey, Gillingham

The policy groups have conducted in depth analysis of the major challenges facing this country. These challenges are genuinely complex, and we trust the electorate's ability to grasp that complexity in a mature way. That's why our policy review has involved mature debate rather than slick, superficial answers. This week, we will begin to set out the ideas from the policy groups that we will accept and the ideas we will reject. So the electorate will be able to see our priorities and the judgements we make.

Do you think we should go ahead with the expansion of Heathrow airport? David Newsome, Reading

By turning air passenger duty into a proper airline pollution duty, and by the measures we will be announcing on increasing rail capacity, we will help to reduce the growth in air travel. We are still considering the various recommendations on airport expansion from our policy groups. For us, the question is how to balance the need for air travel to destinations for which no feasible alternative exists against the need to reduce carbon emissions.

When did you last take a flight and where was it to? Lisa Davis, by email

Vietnam, a few weeks ago – there is no realistic alternative to that destination. I am writing these answers from Blackpool, to which I have travelled by train, leaving my wife in charge of our (hybrid) car.

Do you still allow passers-by to use your lavatory in the middle of the night? Laura Stephens, Croydon

No. Alas, I am now very reluctant even to stop for a hitch-hiker. That's an example of how social responsibility and common humanity get undermined by criminals.

Wasn't it a mistake to picture David Cameron as the 'heir to Blair'? Alan Phipps, Brighton

I have always seen David Cameron as the future, not the past. The real heir to Blair is Gordon Brown. He was a key architect of New Labour and was heavily involved with the failed Labour policies of the past 10 years. It is Gordon Brown who is responsible for the crisis in our pension system, the failure to fund enough prison places, the rise in violent crime and the demoralisation of the NHS.

We all know now that Iraq was a mistake. Do you regret voting for it? Cynthia R, by email

No, I do not regret voting for the war. What I do regret is the lack of planning given to the reconstruction of the country.

Won't Boris Johnson be more trouble than he's worth for the Tories if he becomes London Mayor? Nicki McKinley, Edinburgh

Boris is going to be a brilliant candidate. He is a serious contender to defeat Ken Livingstone, winning support from across London's boroughs and communities. I think he will make a great mayor.

Who is your closest friend in politics? Jake Reice, Bristol

I have a number of close friends. I am not going to risk offending the rest of them by naming one!

What's your biggest regret? Alison Rinn, Felixstowe

I can't play the piano.

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