 The Times , generally pro @-@ Conservative , had backed Butler , and called it " prodigal " of the party to pass over his many talents . The paper praised Home as " an outstandingly successful Foreign Secretary " , but doubted his grasp of domestic affairs , his modernising instincts and his suitability " to carry the Conservative Party through a fierce and probably dirty campaign " at the general election due within a year . The Guardian , liberal in its political outlook , remarked that Home " does not look like the man to impart force and purpose to his Cabinet and the country " and suggested that he seemed too frail politically to be even a stop @-@ gap . The Observer , another liberal @-@ minded paper , said , " The overwhelming – and damaging – impression left by the events of the last two weeks is that the Tories have been forced to settle for a second @-@ best . ... The calmness and steadiness which made him a good Foreign Secretary , particularly at times of crisis like Berlin and Cuba , may also be a liability . " 
