Conservatives To Inquire Into Rochdale Defeat

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28512, 15 February 1958, Page 17

Conservatives To Inquire Into Rochdale Defeat

(Rec. 9.30 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 14. The British Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan), on his return from his Commonwealth tour today, will be plunged immediately into a serious inquiry into the Conservative Party’s defeat 'in the Rochdale by-election.

The stocks of the Conservative administration in the country are generally regarded in political circles as being at their lowest level since Mr Macmillan became Prime Minister 13 months ago. The crushing defeat in the byelection at Rochdale has been taken as the firmest possible indication of this. The large poll for the Liberal candidate came as a double blow to the Government. Mr Macmillan is expected to discuss the defeat at No. 10 Downing Street late today with Mr R. A. Butler, who acted as Prime Minister during his absence. During the week-end, the Prime Minister will also be discussing the political scene with senior Ministers at Chequers, his official country residence. Although the Prime Minister has big international issues, including summit discussions and Cyprus, on his hands, the political situation seems certain . to claim his immediate attention. Political circles say there will be no “pulling of punches” in the Rochdale inquiry, and that the Prime Minister will demand a complete and frank report. The political correspondent of the “Daily Mail” reported today that Mr Butler would tell the Prime Minister that Lord Hailsham, the Conservative Party’s chairman, and Dr. Charles Hill, the publicity chief, must take a large share of the blame. According to the correspondent, many Conservatives believed after the-30 per cent, drop in the party’s vote t at Rochdale that both had failed to do their jobs properly. The “Daily Mail” said that Mr Butler would call for an allout fight against the Liberals and the reinvigoration of the party’s public relations department with new ideas and new men. The Prime Minister will also be told 'of the impact made on the by-election by television cameras —which covered an election campaign for the first time.