BRITISH POLITICS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23754, 28 September 1942, Page 4

BRITISH POLITICS

LACK OF ENTHUSIASM AMONG PEOPLE

OPINION OF LONDON JOURNALS (Special Correspondent N.Z.B.Aj (Rec. 7,10 p.m.) LONDON. Sept. 25. The “Economist,” in an article entitled “The Political Dilemma," declares that neither of the two large political parties evokes the slightest enthusiasm among the ranks of • the people, while both so firmly command the machinery of politics that there is no prospect for a long time of dislodging either or both. Between them these statements constitute the British political dilemma.

The present coalition is held only by Mr Churchill’s personality. He is a party leader because he is Prime Minister, not Prime Minister because he is a party leader. There is, not very great enthusiasm throughout the country. For that reason the public believes almost subconsciously that it must look for its supermen in the ranks of expelled Labour members or those who have never borne the Labour label. Without mqch doubt, if the electors knew of a better hole they would flock there in such numbers as to change the face of British politics, but they have not got a better hole.

There is no brand new party in sight, nor the slightest sign of the creation of one, by the classical method of a split between the leaders of one or fnore of the old parties. Both the present parties are hampered by their own uncertainty. . Neither is in the least sure for what it stands. The truth is that the old distinction between the Left and the Right has become almost meaningless. The real distinction, which is emerging with even greater clarity, is the Interphilosophy of a community serving the welfare of the individual, and a philosophy that regards the community merely as a framework within which divergent interests can try their strength. This .cleavage divides both parties equally." Neither can afford to take an open line on it. Both are therefore dumb on the only real continuing issue. The “Economist” says the basic explanation of the present position is not that politicians do not know for what they stand, but that nobody would believe them if they did. Suggested Improvements The “Economist” adds that to improve the personnel of politics, a double approach is needed, first to discover and remove impediments now preventing the best rnen and women from ’'entering politics, and, second, when they are' forthcoming, to enable them to enter, which requires willingness on the part of the two party machines to accept a radically different type of candidate. The journal finally suggests that Britain might adopt the American device of "the primary,” which is an election held and supervised by the State, enabling members of each party tc choose by popular vote the party's candidate at the main election. The "Round Table” says time and money are a prospective candidate’s first thoughts. Thus, the majority of members of the House of Commons, are either people of independent means, trade unionists, or members of a limited list of professions. These categories tend to be over-represented. Retired Business people are common, but men actively in touch with modern industry are surprisingly few. Agriculture is represented by land owners, not by land agents, working farmers, or agricultural labourers. The more powerful trade unions have numerically strong representation, but working men not belonging to one of the unions have not. The largest section excluded is the great middle class, the backbone of the professions, local life, and the nation. It is almost totally unrepresented, for its members can afford neither time nor money.

The "Round Table” adds that it cannot be right that, as at present, onetenth of the House is more than 70 years old, one quarter between 70 and 60, and barely one-eighth under 40.