VOTING IN U.K.

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30283, 8 November 1963, Page 15

VOTING IN U.K.

Important Polls (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, Nov. 7. Voters are going to the polls for two significant British by-elections today. The Prime Minister, Sir Alec Douglas-Home, is contesting one of the by-elections —in the Kinross and West Perthshire constituency. Scotland. The other contest, which is expected to be a much closer fight, is for the Luton constituency. Candidates and their supporters were out in full force today in their last bid to win votes. Sir Alec Douglas-Home is defending a Conservative majority of 12,248, against six other candidates. The Liberal candidate, Mr Alistair Duncan Miller, is reported to be in the strongest position of the other candidates. Local politicians have been debating whether the Labour man, Mr Andrew Forrester, will scrape into third place or be beaten by the vigorous Scottish Nationalist, Mr Arthur Donaldson. The others, three independents, are expected to poll only a few hundred votes among them. In 1959, the Government had a 12.248 majority in a three-cornered contest. Even though there are now seven candidates, the Prime Minister is expected to command a majority of 5000 to 6000. In the event of the "unthinkable” happening, he would probably ask the Queen to dissolve Parliament immediately for a General Election.

Labour Hopes At Luton, the Labour Party has strong hopes that it will capture the seat held at the 1959 General Election with a Conservative majority of only 5019. The Conservative candidate. Sir John FletcherCooke. is fighting three opponents—Mr Will Howie (Labour), Mr Melvyn Benjamin (Liberal) and Dr. Anthony Chater (Communist) Even a resounding victory in Kinross would not entirely offset the blow to Government prestige of defeat at Luton. The result of the Triton poll will be declared late tonight, and that in Kinross about noon on Friday.