British Parties Pear Election Apathy

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27665, 23 May 1955, Page 11

British Parties Pear Election Apathy

(Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, May 20.

With less than a week to election day, the main endeavours ’of the Conservative and Labour Parties are to ensure they poll their maximum vote. Both parties appear worried by the possible apathy of electors. “ The Conservatives, fearing over confidence, view favourably the indications of public opinion polls. Labour senses a lack of positive anti-Government feeling—or as the Left-wing “New Statesman and Nation” puts it: “The Labour voter has not been made angry and is disinclined to vote.’’ Labour is hopirig for the last minute support which has been a feature of the last two election campaigns. It is recalled that in 1951 the Conservatives looked clearer favourites than at this present stage. But the large number of Socialists who did not bother to vote at the recent local elections is bothering Labour headquarters According to the political correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,” Conservatives and Socialists everywhere agree that the cost of living is the main specific issue of the electiofi. “What cannot be discovered is the smallest indication that dissatisfaction on this is bringing any votes to one side or the other. Among the highly paid industrial workers in the West Midlands, the cost of living is a grumble, not a grievance for wage packets are bigger than ever before, the correspondent says. “The Socialist propaganda on this theme may help them to hold their own, but there is no sign that it will'

either win converts or stimulate the politically indifferent. “There is a noticeable absence of concern about the hydrogen bomb at least as an issue petween parties. Nor does foreign polrcy in general rank h.; i v ,n the interests of the electorate. “An appreciable number of Socialists can be found ready to admit that they would rather have the four-Power talks conducted by the Conservatives than by their own party. Even more, it would appear, do not think it matters which party carries them on. The personal popularity of Sir Anthony Eden is undoubted.

“It may have attracted to the Conservatives, votes which otherwise would have gone to the Socialists or Liberals. Divisions in the Labour Party associated with Mr Bevan have made many Socialists pessimistic as to their party’s chances. But I should estimate that the number of votes swayed by this is small,” says the correspondent. The “Economist” says: “One of the most heartening features of the campaign so far is that the hydrogen bomb issue, the ‘slothful peacemaker’ issue and the national service issue all seem to have fallen remarkably flat. The promise of four-Power talks has helped to bundle foreign policy out of this election. "Instead the country seems to be faced by a straight battle between a Government restine on its record and an Opposition relying on a swing against authority that has been a feature of every British General Election for the last 90 years,” says the “Economist.” There seems to be growing agree-

ment that television has not exerted ■the influence on the campaign which was at one time forecast Estimates are that roughly one-third of the, viewers listen to election programmes. Supporters of one party turn off their opponent’s programme either before they “ e ®’ n or after a few minutes. ,?. h f successful programing is still held to be Dr. Edith SummerskflF* on the different prices of groceries under Labour and Conservative Governments. The controversy on whether her figures were right or wrong continues daily. Referring to a threatened prosecu- ? tea firm. Dr, Summerskill ? ai 4 : vJ don t like big firms who try to bully you. I never respond well to bullying. I am inclined to stick my toes in. All these threats have done to me is to stimulate my interest in food.

What effect this controversy had on the electorate is difficult to estimate Whether the campaign will move from a minor* to a “tnajor” key in the remaining days is anybody’s guess. But at the moment the prevailing atmosphere is that Conservatives may have a comfortable majority by this fame next week unless there is a last minute scare.”