The Press THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1966. Britain’s Election

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31023, 31 March 1966, Page 12

The Press THURSDAY, MARCH 31, 1966. Britain’s Election

Few political commentators have found the General Election campaign in Britain satisfactory. Some have found it the dullest in modern history. A few days ago “ The Times ” called it “ a tawdry business ” dragging “ its slow length through a mass of “ mediocrity “ The Times ” complained that '■ neither Mr Wilson nor Mr Heath has sounded the “ note worthy of Britain even in her diminished role. " Neither has struck the spark of national aspiration ”. The “ Spectator ”, a weekly journal that strongly supports the Conservatives, says that it is not an election at all, but a referendum: “ The country is ** being asked to say * oui ’ or ‘ non ’ to Mr Wilson, and as has been the custom in recent referenda, the answer will doubtless be ‘ oui ’ ”. In giving that answer, the “ Spectator ” says, “ the electorate will be •• taking at his face value the outstanding party “ politician of his generation, the supreme non- “ statesman for the age of the non-event However, one leading political commentator, James Margach, of the “ Sunday Times ”, has said that scenes of rowdyism and uproar at meetings addressed by leading figures on both sides “ should not be allowed “to distort the over-all impression of stolid and ” serious rather than dynamic campaigning ”. In spite of the relative quiet, Mr Margach says, the public interest has been widespread and lively.

No doubt the substantial lead attributed to the Labour Party from the first by the public opinion polls bears some responsibility for taking the heat out of the campaign. But it is to be hoped that the electorate is keenly aware that the Government it will appoint for the next five years will face formidable problems vital to Britain’s future. Foremost is the regeneration of the British economy, now reduced to a deplorably slow rate of economic growth, and heavy indebtedness. To this consideration is closely allied the question of entry to the European Economic Community; politicians of all persuasions might be tempted to think that admission to the prosperous and energetic European “ club ” will automatically end all Britain’s economic troubles. In or out of the community, Britain will have to find the energy and ardour that will stand her firmly on her own feet. The role Britain will take in the world at large should be determined at this election. Unfortunately, the electorate is being offered no clear guidance. The Labour Party’s choice for a world role for Britain and a continued presence “ East of “ Suez ” was given in the recent Defence White Paper. The Conservatives’ attitude is equivocal and there are contradictory voices in the party: but by and large the party’s thought appears to tend towards Britain in the role of a European Power. Though ostensibly united on fundamentals of policy towards Rhodesia, the parties are divided on the question of immediate discussions with the Smith regime.

If the public opinion polls are right, the Labour Party will have a comfortable win. But no election is won until the returns are in; and every election produces surprises. Regional idiosyncrasies, to which General Elections in Britain are prone, might upset some prophecies; and the distribution of Liberal Party votes, especially where the Liberal candidates are not standing this time, might cause some unexpected results. Nevertheless, for most observers the question the electorate will answer is merelj' the size of the Labour Party’s majority.