Macmillan Defends Decision On Election

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28894, 14 May 1959, Page 15

Macmillan Defends Decision On Election

(N Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 12. The Prime Minister (Mr Macmillan) told the Newspaper Society’s annual dinner tonight that to have a summer general election would be contrary to British interests. In some quarters he had been accused first of avoiding a summer election for fear of defeat and then of robbing his party of success by excess caution, he said. Mr Macmillan said: “I think it would have been quite contrary to British interests to hold a highlycontested election at the opening of what may be the most critical months in the history of Europe for many decades.

“There is beginning—or 1 hope there is beginning—at Geneva at this very moment a most critical negotiation. “I cannot tell how it will develop: but it must be our hope that some progress will be made, and that it will be followed by a further negotiation between heads of Governments. “I cannot think that the contribution which British statesmanship has a right and a duty to make to these problems would be enhanced if, during this period, the world were treated to a spectacle of British politicians contending with each other with every possible degree of party feeling and even rancour “Besides, if I. may be quite frank, I think we shall do much better later on, and I am happy to say my leading colleagues share my view.” Summing up, he said: “At home the £ is strong, sterling once more broadly convertible, and yet all the stronger for that bold step. “The cost of living has remained stable for a period of a year—a truly remarkable fact when we think back over the post-war years. “The economy is in a position to expand, and I believe will soon be rapidly expanding.” Never had there been more opportunity for all, “nor more people determined to make the best use of opportunity when it comes to them,” he said.