Re-Assessment Of Wilson’s Strength

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30971, 29 January 1966, Page 15

Re-Assessment Of Wilson’s Strength

(N.Z.P.A. Iteulcr—Copyright?

LONDON, January 28.

Mr Wilson’s prospects of strengthening his hold on power in an early General Election seemed high today in the wake of a big swing to the Left in a key Parliamentary by-election.

The Labour Party won the North of England constituency of Hull North with a comfortable margin of 5351 votes over the Conservatives compared with a winning margin of only 1181 at the October, 1964, General Election. The result reflected a 4.5 per cent swing of votes to Labour, the highest in 13 byelections since Mr Wilson took office.

Observers estimate that if this trend was repeated generally in a General Election. Labour would be back in power with an over-all majority of more than 100 seats in the 630-seat House of Commons.

The Government at present has a four-seat over-all majority, but this is expected to be cut to three after a further by-election now pending in a safe Conservative seat. Odds Quoted

After the Hull result was announced last night, a leading London bookmaker immediately quoted odds of four to one on Labour to win the next General Election, and three to one against Conservatives.

But it was far from certain today that Mr Wilson would immediately risk the life of his Administration. He faces strong pressure to consider a March General Election from supporters who feel that the party should take advantage of the electorate’s current pro-governmeiit mood. But with the danger of a

national rail strike in midFebruary, major economic problems, and the need for time to publicise vote-winning policies on housing and schools, Mr Wilson may hold out for an October contest. Growing Criticism The Hull result was a setback to Mr Edward Heaths efforts to make a national impact as Opposition leader. Mr Heath has come under growing criticism from some Conservatives over his record since he took over from Sir Alec Douglas-Home last July,

and the party has still broadly failed to adjust itself to an Opposition role in Parliament.

If there is an early General Election, Mr Jo Grimond’s minority Liberal Party would have a struggle to maintain even its present nine members of Parliament on the basis of the Hull contest. The Liberal share of the poll dropped from nearly 16 per cent in October. 1964, to just over 6 per cent—repeating a pattern which had begun to emerge in earlier by-elections.