BRITISH GENERAL ELECTION

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30998, 2 March 1966, Page 17

BRITISH GENERAL ELECTION

Parties ’ Campaign Gathers Speed

(X.Z.PA. Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, March 1.

Britain’s 30-day General Election campaign, launched by the Prime Minister, Mr Harold Wilson, last night, quickly gathered speed today. In the House of Commons, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr James Callaghan, was presenting the facts on probably the central election issue, the country ’s economic health.

At Conservative headquarters in London the leader, Mr Edward Heath, was meeting the men and women who would help him lead the Conservative challenge.

The first shots in the inter-party struggle were fired last night in both 8.8. C. and Independent Television interview programmes a few hours after Mr Wilson had announced the March 31 election date from No. 10 Downing street.

Parliament will be dissolved on Thursday, March 10. Nomination day is to be Monday, March 21, the new Parliament is to be opened by the Queen a month later on her 40th birthdav.

Mr Wilson sent a letter to the Queen in the West Indies on February 18 seeking her authority to dissolve Parliament. She approved by telegram, and confirmed this by letter. On a 8.8. C. programme Mr Wilson said he had called the election for March 31, because “I think the country wants a government, a government able to do the job of a government.” This is “make-or-break year.” he said. The country should not be in a position where essential legislation could not be passed. Charge Denied He denied the suggestion that he was seeking re-elec-tion before the economy deteriorated. It “is getting better.” he told his interviewer. Mr Wilson said he would be surprised if the Chancellor’s speech in the economic debate today did not indicate what the Goverment Budget polices would be. In another independent station’s programme the Prime Minister said: “Tomorrow the Chancellor will give a honest, straight-forward account of Budget prospects.” Mr Heath also appearing on an independent station said the Prime Minister wanted to cash in on the favourable public opinion polls before things got more difficult for him.

“I welcome this election. I am delighted it has come,” he said.

The Conservative Party would fight the election strongly and aggressively, putting forward positive policies. It would attack the government’s record of failing to tackle economic problems, causing stagnant production, the rising cost of living and the balance of payments deficit of 1000 million.

The Liberal Party leader, Mr Jo Grimond, said he could not help thinking that Mr Wilson had called the election because the position of the country might get worse if he went on. His popularity in the country might fall, Mr Grimond said. Mr Wilson said he had decided on the election date before the result of the Hull North by-election. Issues Stated Issues in the elections will be: housing, rates, mortgages, rising prices, and Rhodesia’s illegal independence.

On television Mr Heath said he believed negotiations should be started with the

Rhodesian Prime Minister, Mr lan Smith, immediately without prior conditions on either side.

This is a split from the previous bi-party attitude to the three-month-old Rhodesian independence crisis.

The General Election means that once again Britain’s international role is in the balance. Mr Wilson had called a General Election for one compelling reason. He has been persuaded that the Labour Party can win comfortably, this time, said the “New York Times.” ‘Nothing Sordid’ There was nothing sordid in this, nothing new about it. Mr Harold Macmillan called an election in 1959 when he could exploit an unprecedented if fragile prosperity as well as his initiatives for a Big Four summit conference to ease the threat of war over Britain.

Sir Alec Douglas-Home hung on in 1964 in the hope that Conservative fortunes would turn up, as they almost did.

Weather Satellite. The Essa II weather satellite was rocketed successfully into polar orbit yesterday to become part of the world’s first space weather forecasting network. Capo Kennedy, March 1.