Liberals Stronger In U.K. By-Elections

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29366, 19 November 1960, Page 13

Liberals Stronger In U.K. By-Elections

LONDON, November 18.

British newspapers today gave a mixed reception to the results of yesterday’s six by-elections in Britain, but most agreed that the Liberal Party had put up a good showing.

The Conservatives held all six seats contested yesterday, but in four of them, the Liberal Party polled second place. “The Times” described the Liberal Party’s showing as “heartening. The Labour Party did about as badly as can be expected. Until it can settle its schisms, the party must be written off as an electoral force,” it said.

The “Daily Herald” said that the Liberal Party could not assume from the by-election results that it was about to replace Labour “as the voice of radical Britain, The Labour Party will never die of natural causes—only from selfinflicted wounds of the kind which are now draining away its lifeblood,” it said. The “Daily Express” said: “Instead of preparing itself to be the future. Government, Labour must now fight to retain its position as the Opposition.” After saying that no Government could be secure without formidable opposition, the newspaper added: “The by-elections show that such an opposition is further away than ever. The real loser in these contests is the national interest.”

It said that while two parties which showed no signs of combining were disputing equally for the opposition vote, the Conservative Party need not worry.

The “Guardian ’ described the results as “depressing for Liberals and Labour.” It said: “The Liberals cannot count for much until they start winning seats. For Labour the results are as cold. Nobody today who votes for Labour can be sure what policy he is accepting.” The “Daily Telegraph” saw the results as a challenge to the Conservative Party to send to Parliament “more of the men Parliament so badly needs.”

Labour’s biggest blow was at Tiverton, Devonshire. The Labour vote was less than half that given to the Liberal. Mr R. MaxwellHyslop was returned for the Conservatives.

At Petersfield, Hampshire, the Liberal vote was nearly twice as large as Labour’s. Miss J. Quennell held the seat for the Government.'

It said that the results showed that the Liberal Party's, part was “no longer mere intervention: a futile subtraction of votes from here or there. This is fighting. We have grown used to speaking of Liberals ‘intervening.’ Is it now Labour which is destined to intervene’?”

Captain W. Elliot was elected at Carshalton. Surrey. The intervening Liberals again oushed the Labour representative to the bottom of the poll at Ludlow. Shropshire, where the Conservative, Mr J. More, was elected.

The “Daily Mail” described the Liberals’ achievement as “remarkable." It said: "They have become a force to be reckoned with.”

At Mid-Bedfordshire and at Bolton East. Lancashire, the Conservatives. Mr S. Hastings and Mr Taylor, were returned.