Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1945. ELECTION IN BRITAIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 195, 31 May 1945, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1945. ELECTION IN BRITAIN.

Recent cable news from England indicates that the first shots in the election campaign have been fifed, and judging by tihe amount of smoke hanging over the battle in the form of mutual recrimination, the campaign is likely to be a most bitter one. That this should be so is most unfortunate, especially in view of the exceptionally fine job which the Coalition Government did during one of the most serious periods in the history of the nation. Mr Churchill cannot 'be blamed for the fact that 'the British people are to face an election. He gave the Labour Party every opportunity to continue in the Coalition, and to continue the good work which the members representing that Party undoubtedly performed while members of the team which brought the country out of the shadows into the light of victory. As members of the team they put the nation above faction, and in pooling their abilities they showed the highest sense of responsibility. In one respect, at any rate, history is not repeating itself. After Germany’s defeat in 1918, the Coalition Government fought ft General Election as a Coalition; but Germany’s defeat in 1945 is to be quickly followed by a General Election in which the parties forming the Second World War Coalition will fight as separate parties. That means that there can be no revival of the Second World War Coalition except by the will of the parties —- particularly Conservative and Labour—after a party-political consultation of the electorate. The presiding genius in British politics of the First World War was Mr Lloyd George, recently deceased; and his career has been written on by Mr Churchill, who is - the presiding genius of British politics at this very moment. Just what part the great popularity of the Leader of the. Conservatives is likely to play in the election is difficult to state. As British commentators say, “the real shot and shell will be exchanged on two issues, since it seems likely that there will be two types of voters.” One type has been stated to be those with political knowledge and background, who will regard the election as a straightout fight between capital and socialism. The other section are those who take only a superficial interest in politics. This section contains many who do not care for any party, and they constitute a “floating vote.” They probably will be swayed by Air Churchill s fine war record, and they may give him the chance to bring the nation through to final victory. In the final analysis, the immense popularity and prestige of Mr Churchill will probably win the dav.