BY-ELECTION RESULT
Blow To Eden Government
(N.Z. Press Association—Cbpyright)
(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 21. Politicians and political commentators are wondering if an election would sweep the Conservative Government from power. Yesterday, a by-election—won by the Conservatives—showed a 7.6 per cent, swing in favour of the Labour Party. This swing in a general election would return Labour with a majority of about 190 seats.
The by-election was at Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. It was caused by the resignation of the Minister of State at the Foreign Office. Mr Antony Nutting. The Conservative candidate, Miss Mervyn Pike, had a majority of 2362 —B4lB smaller than Mr Nutting had. Conservative quarters are not disguising their disappointment and concern.
They have several theories for the slump—resentment of the party’s treatment of the popular Mr Nutting: opposition to a woman; local feeling against petrol rationing; and foggy weather.
But political quarters said that the Govermment’s intervention in Egypt and subsequent withdrawal were the major issues.
Miss Pike promoted the line: “A vote for Pike is a vote for Eden.”
Newspapers agreed today that the result was a serious blow to the Government’s prestige.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 11
Word Count
188BY-ELECTION RESULT Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28158, 22 December 1956, Page 11
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