Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1950. UNCERTAIN POSITION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 129, 16 March 1950, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 1950. UNCERTAIN POSITION

Mr Attlee does not appear to be unduly; perturbed over t'he fact that he has a bare majority of six over the continued strength of the Conservatives and Liberals, and he obviously intends to proceed on set lines. There will possibly be one exception, and that will be the much-vexed question of the Iron and Steel Bill. In all other respects the party’s programme will probably stand. The situation, however, is an interesting one, and can produce an upheaval at any time. Mr Churchill followed precedent in forcing a vote on a major subject soon after the House met, even though he knew he had no chance of success. It was much too early in the fight to expect the Government to drop its guard and take the count. The division on the Steel Bill was expected, and so the Government had ample time to muster its full voting strength. The Conservatives made sure, also, of a full display of strength, even going - to the extent of bringing sick members into the House, the accommodation of which was heavily taxed. The Opposition made housing the subject of a second vote, but this time the margin in the Government’s favour was even greater, for the Liberals supported them. Again the Opposition’s blow was telegraphed, to use a boxing term, and it failed to penetrate the defence. But there may come a time when over-confidence will cause Mr Attlee to relax his guard, and a snap division may find him on the opposite side of the House. That is the eventuality he has to guard against. It stands to reason that the full membership of the Parliamentary Party cannot always be guaranteed, for Ministers and others are bound to have to travel in the course of their duties, and then there is sickness to guard against. This in itself could deplete the ranks to the point where the Opposition would hold the upper hand. The Liberals are, of course, an unknown quantity. They have already voted for and against the Government, and there is no ceitainty that they would support the Conservatives in a snap division. They have constantly to consider their own. position. The party was routed at the polls, and should another election come soon, the few who were successful could quite easily join those w.ho lost their deposits. From their point of view, it would pay them to support the Government, and so make sure of seeing out the current term. However, they are committed on certain policy matters, and should one of them be made the subject of a vote, they may have no option buL to help unseat the Government and throw themselves at the mercy of the electorate.