Britons Bored By Political Scene

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30310, 10 December 1963, Page 17

Britons Bored By Political Scene

(Special Crspdt. NZ.P.A.) LONDON, Dec. 9.

The British public is bored by the political scene, however interesting it may be for politicians and the politically-minded.

Polling at recent byelections has been low, and public opinion polls, for what they are worth—the result of the Australian General Election has been noted here—continue to report that “don’t knows” form 11 per cent of the electorate. One commentator has summed up things this way: “They (the electors) are a little sick, having supped full of horrors over the last six months and are likely to abstain in fair numbers now. One has heard on the doorsteps a lot of the old familiar cry. •They’re all out for themselves, aren’t they?’ . . . “In spite of Conservative efforts to elevate the contest, the voters still persist in a 1 no doubt swinish obsession iwith their own interests and

comfort. The defence issue, the Commonwealth and even ’peace’ have, it is agreed by all parties, failed to make any real impact so far.” With the approach of Christmas it is unlikely that there will be any freshet of public interest in the political scene which, over-all, remains little changed since Sir Alec Douglas-Home went to 10 Downing Street. There are, however, interesting patches of colour. Sir Alec Douglas-Home’s honeymoon as Prime Minister continues, but the Conservatives, who were obviously hoping for a quick change of the tide, are finding that the water remains sluggish. From their point of view, what “The Times” calls an “ominous factor” in recent by-elections has been the steadiness of the Labour vote.

Another comment is that a hard pro-Labour trend is now well developed in the constituencies, and it will take more than fireworks and synthetic excitement to break such determined opposition before the General Election. The latest Gallup poll

shows Labour's lead down by 2 per cent to 9 per cent,; j which is less than half the 'figure of six months ago. ! The even tenor of Labour , unity has been ruffled recently by the rumpus over Mr George Brown's television tribute to the late President Kennedy. Although there was no immediate public comment on his performance, his flamboyance obviously annoyed a section of the Labour Party, particularly the Left-wing, with whom the deputy leader is apparently persona non grata. Mr Brown’s statement to the executive committee that he had “taken the point” of criticisms was given full publicity by the national press. There have since been attempts by Conservatives to | drive a wedge between Mr Harold Wilson, the party’s leader, and Mr George Brown.

Probably more politically irritating to the Labour Party than the Brown affair has been the cleft stick of Commonwealth migration, jand differing views over defence and the independent

British nuclear force. On Commonwealth migration, the official Labour policy is for the admission of coloured Commonwealth citizens. But in those constituencies where the growing number of these citizens is unpopular, this policy is sharply criticised. There have thus been some backing down and suggestions of duplicity. On defence, the party leadership is being sharply criticised for shilly-shallying. The Left-wing journal, “Tribune,” has declared that Labour's defence policy “is still only a series of negatives and evasion ” Such are some factors which may be working slowly against Labour. On the other hand, while Sir Alec Douglas-Home is going full steam ahead and he and his Ministers are emphasising the modernisation of Britain. all is not plain sailing. Wage inflation, for instance. .is appearing again on the ; horizon, and the unions are pressing for increases above ■ the national rate of increased production. There could be 1 industrial trouble.