Wilson Centre Of Political Storm

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31584, 23 January 1968, Page 11

Wilson Centre Of Political Storm

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) N LONDON, January 22. A worried British Prime Minister (Mr Harold Wilson) held urgent last-minute talks last night with Labour Party leaders to try to prevent an internal party rift from widening uncontrollably while he is in Moscow for three days of talks with the Soviet Prime Minister (Mr Alexei Kosygin). A bitter row has brewed over Mr Silkin’s letters to the 25 Labour M.P.s who abstained last Thursday from voting on the Government’s massive economy and defence cuts.

Mr Silkin’s letter barred the rebel members from attending all party or group meetings as a temporary disciplinary measure.

A statement after last night’s meeting said Mr Wilson would address a Parliamentary Labour Party meeting on Thursday night.

It said that before last Thursday’s events the party’s Parliamentary liaison committee had already decided to circulate for consideration at an early meeting a proposed new code of conduct for M.P.s.

It added that the liaison committee had also authorised the Chief Whip if an emergency arose before the code of conduct came into operation, “to take action within the spirit of the code.” Several of the 25 members barred from meetings have said they will defy the ban, and further parliamentary uproar is expected when M.P.s are asked to approve the new code. Disenchantment Meanwhile, a mounting chorus of disenchanted British opinion has clamoured for the political head of Mr Wilson. Sundav’s newspapers led the no-holds-barred attack, reflecting the nation - wide frustration of ordinary Britons who can see no end in sight to the continuous setbacks. Britons, generally, were ready to accept any sacrifices which would restore the nation’s economic health, but Mr Wilson stands accused of a woeful lack of inspiring leadership.

In addition he is assailed on all sides by charges that his “credibility” no longer exists in the wake of a long catalogue of broken election pledges. Political observers see little chance however, that the Prime -Minister could be forced to resign. He is universally recognised as a wily politician who still knows

| how to command majority 'support as party leader. A “Sunday Times” columnist pointed out that no British Prime Minister had ever been overthrown or compulsorily or prematurely retired, either by a revolution in Cabinet or a party revolt, except in special circumstances of advancing years or a breakdown in health. The fact is that there is nobody in the Cabinet at present who could challenge the 51-year-old Prime Minister as Labour Party chief. Political experts say that if it comes to bringing Labour Party dissidents into line, Mr

Wilson holds a trump card. As Prime Minister he has the right to recommend a dissolution of Parliament at any time, and in the present state of national disillusionment with the Labour Government, scores of Labour M.P.s would probably lose their seats in new elections. For this very reason, however, it is extremely unlikely that Mr Wilson will risk new elections at this time. His Government’s five-year term continues until March, 1971, and by then Mr Wilson obviously hopes the bitter pills he is making the nation swallow will have produced a rise in the country’s fortunes. Mr Wilson today left behind the domestic political storm for what looks like a frosty reception from the Soviet leaders, for his three-day trip to Moscow has been preceded by Soviet press attacks on bis policies, and especially Britain’s alliance with America. “Izvestia,” the Soviet Government newspaper, said yesterday that Britain and Russia could work together to improve the international situation, but implied that this could not come about as long as Wilson supported American policy in Vietnam. “Pravda,” the Communist Party paper, said that the way out of Britain's economic troubles was through the rejection of special relations with the United States and an abandonment of the arms race.

The Soviet press attacks, indicating that Mr Wilson ean expect no substantial progress in his talks with Mr Kosygin, were similar to attacks made before Mr Wilson’s two 1966 trips to Moscow, neither of which produced progress on Vietnam.