CHURCHILL AND CONSERVATIVES

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24591, 13 June 1945, Page 7

CHURCHILL AND CONSERVATIVES

FORMER DIFFERENCES RECALLED BROADCAST BY MR A. V. ALEXANDER (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON. June 11. "After Mr Churchill's criticisms of the Conservative Party from 1938 to 1938 he would be well advised to leave the party buried instead of allowing himself to be jockeyed into the leadership of a party which scorned him, and which he himself scorned for so many years," said Mr A. V. Alexander (Labour), former First Lord of the Admiralty, broadcasting for the Labour Party in the series of election speeches. Mr Alexander added: "Mr Churchill has now become a stalking horse for the big business interests which behind the scenes control the Tory Party. The Conservatives are so frightened of their own black record that they have even dropped their own name in favour of 'National;' as if big business had i a monopoly of patriotism as well as I the country's industries. "The Tories use fine-sounding phrases—freedom for business, private enterprise, adventure, and so on. Look behind these words and phrases. The truth is that private enterprise—'unenterprise' is a truer name for itr-gave Britain in the dark days before the war the witch's gift of unemployment and misery. Neither Sir John Anderson nor any Tory speech maker has told us why Tory ownership should now be able to do the job. "Labour wants private enterprise to have its full place in the future Britain, provided it really is enterprise. Private enterprise in certain industries, when properly guided and directed, worked well in war time; but it worked well only because there has been a national plan for. the management of all our resources". I know from my experiences with the shipbuilding industry at the Admiralty—an industry that after the last war was left in chaos—what difference a plan can make. "The national economy must be brought under public ownership. Here is one of the vital issues of the election. There is a noble future before us, but not an easy future. All our energies will be needed for the great work of reconstruction in our country, in a world enjoying peace instead of suffering under a prolonged armistice." j Mr Alexander said that the Navy I was fighting heavy battles in the Far East, where the Fleet Air Arm was especially distinguishing itself. "They can count upon Labour's united support until the final victory is won," he said. "Labour's constant concern is for their honour and welfare after victory."