SNAP ELECTION IN BRITAIN

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25735, 22 February 1949, Page 5

SNAP ELECTION IN BRITAIN

SUGGESTED MOVE BY LABOUR

“PRESENT FAVOURABLE TENDENCIES ” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p.m.) LONDON, February 21. "If Labour decides on a snap General Election, as has been suggested, it may be at the end of May or early in June, as the present favourable tendencies for the Government might have disappeared by the autumn,” says the political correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph.” "All the Conservative successes since 1918 have been in the autumn and their defeats, with one exception, in the spring. “Labour leaders think that the Conservative criticism of the supplementary health estimates and the food subsidy offers them as good an opening as they are likely to get. The Government also knows there must be economies in public expenditure, the administration of the National Health Service will have to be tightened up, and food subsidies reviewed if rations are increased. Labour members consider that if they have to do these things it will be better to do them after a successful election, with a possible five years of power ahead. "There is also hope that the Atlantic Pact will soon be a reality, which will obscure Mr Ernest Bevin’s fumbling over Palestine. Mr Herbert Morrison, if victory in the South Hammersmith by-election is added to the present favourable portents, may prevail on hesitant supporters and move for an election.’’

“Britain’s leading Socialist Party managers are making plans for a possible snap General Election,” said the political correspondent of the "Sunday Express.” "Much will depend on the result of the by-election in Hammersmith. If Labour wins this by a good majority the leaders will take it that the country favours the present Government.

“The results of the Batley and Morley by-election last week, in which the Socialist vote was up by 200, delighted and surprised the Socialists. According to Socialist tacticians, the figures indicate that the Government is retaining all the floating vote it at tracted in 1945, and in some cases r drawing Liberals and others into support. "Another consideration favouring an election this year is the Budget The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps), when he introduces the Budget in April, is expected to cut purchase tax in many cases, and he may abolish clothes rationing. "Mr Attlee is believed to be impressed by the arguments for a snap election. There have been ‘significant meetings recently of party officials concerned with policy.”