CLOSE ELECTION PREDICTED

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27638, 20 April 1955, Page 10

CLOSE ELECTION PREDICTED

Apathy Feared By Both Parties (NJ!. Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, April 18. Britain’s political parties began marshalling their forces today, for the May 26 General Elections, which a growing number of Parliamentarians feel may be a closely-fought contest. Business circles—and many Conservatives—are confident that Sir Anthony Eden, the new Prime Minister, will win a fresh mandate from the nation. But some of the Conservatives are themselves warning against any automatic assumption that the election will see a landslide in their favour. They appear to share Labour’s view that electoral apathy is the politicians* biggest enemy in the forthcoming fight, and that the victory will go to the party which is the more efficient in rounding up all its known adherents and bringing them to the polling booth#. The Socialists, who two months ago were extremely apprehensive of the prospects if there were an early election, appear to be taking fresh heart now that they are confronted with the certainty of an immediate test of strength. They realise though that they are up against one of the stiffest propositions in their party’s half-century of existence.

Their movement is still feeling the effects of the long feud between the Left-winger, Mr Aneurin Bevan, and its official chiefs. A truce to this

struggle was called only a few weeks ago when the Labour “Old Guard,” fearing an election was upon them, refrained from dismissing the rebellious Welshman from the party—though warning him that this was hi# last chance.

The party has to decide what to do with Mr Bevan now the election has come. He is its most eloquent speaker, and can be one of the biggest assets—or liabilities—in the campaign. Before Parliament dissolves on May 6 for campaigning, the Labour leaders can either embrace the “rebel” and use his eloquence in- the fight—or ignore him, in making its top panel of platform speakers. The Conservatives believe their party’s greatest asset for victory is the present Government’s record—its maintenance of full employment, the abolition of controls and food rationing, and the restoration of more “easeful” conditions of life for the British citizen.

They, also reject Labour charges that the Government is rushing an election because it fears that there are economic difficulties ahead for Britain. They argue that the steady improvement in the position of sterling at any rate gives no immediate hint of a coming crisis—whatever the future may hold.