Tories’ Conditional Backing

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31631, 18 March 1968, Page 13

Tories’ Conditional Backing

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) LONDON, March 17. Britain’s Opposition Conservative Party has pledged full backing to the Labour Government for urgent and unpopular economic cutbacks provided a General Election is promised soon. The deputy party leader, Mr Reginald Maudling put the conditional offer last night and said it was the only way Britain could get the leadership desperately needed in critical times.

Speaking against the background of economic difficulties in Britain and disruptions

in the international monetary system, he added: “To the ordinary man and woman this week-end the Governments of the Western world seem plumb crazy. “Someone must say, in the name of common sense, ‘with all our prosperity and prospects why cannot we all work together instead of tearing ourselves apart.’ ” Mr Maudling said in a dinner speech that there was wide support for a coalition between the main parties but such an idea could not work. By-elections and public opinion polls had showed the Labour Government had lost public confidence yet remained in power.

“We are willing to support you in the measures that are now needed on the simple condition that you will hold an early election and give the people a chance to choose the Government they now want,” he said. The Labour Government need not call a General Election before early 1971.