Atmosphere Of British Public Life Deplored

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28386, 19 September 1957, Page 13

Atmosphere Of British Public Life Deplored

(Rec. 11 p.rfi.) LONDON, Sep>. 17. “I have never seen publilTopinion so sour and less confident in democracy,” said Lord Hailsham, the new Lord President of the Council, who is shortly to become chairman of the Conservative Party. It will be his . role to give new life to Conservative Party organisations throughout the country before the next General Election. He said in an interview with the “Yorkshire Post”: “My aim is to try to build up public confidence in Parliament and public life, and that involves raising the whole tone of public controversy at the moment.”

Lord Hailsham believes that if the Conservative Party is to be reinvigorated for the next election, it must loudly proclaim what he'calls the “old-fashioned virtues” of honesty and faith in one’s country.

“Events are moving faster,” he said. “People want to know where on earth they are going. That is a very legitimate demand. “I don’t believe elections can be won by tricks. Such wins cannot be a permanent asset to a

party. I dislike a smear against a party—a party is an instrument of democracy, not an ignoble activity. “It is the ordinary people who make democracy work, and a party is one of the most important contacts with people—as are the press, television and books. “A party must be the main source of opinion and inspiration,” he added. “1 accept the definition of a good party man once given by Sir Winston Churchill—one who puts his party above himself and his country above his party. “I shall be more concerned to promulgate the Conservative point of view than to criticise our opponents,” he said. “My grand strategy is to discuss every aspect of party policy with the country.

“I feel that the general atmosphere in public life has suddenly developed over quite a short period into something deplorable. There is rudeness, ill-temper, and a general want of respect to people on both sides.” He added: “Sincerity and idealism are the best public relations.”