Labour likely to lose majority

Press, 25 February 1977, Page 7

Labour likely to lose majority

NZPA-Reuter London! The British Labour Party! is almost certain to be left! outnumbered in Parliament’ for the first time since gain-’ ing power in 1974 after a by-’ election in the heart of Lon-1 don. The Prime Minister (Mr! James Callaghan) will have to I rely on the support from: smaller Opposition groups, against an all-out attack from; the main Opposition Conser-; vative Party led by Mrs Mar- , garet Thatcher.

The district around West-: minster, including Bucking-’ ham Palace and a network of’ elegant streets, is expected to vote solidly again for a Conservative, Mr Peter Brooke, a son of Lord Brooke, who was the Conservative Home Secretary between 1962-64. The result is expected today (N.Z. time). The seat has been vacant for some time. But if refilled by a Conservative it will bring the combined Opposition parties in the House of Commons to 315 seats against Labour’s 314. Labour’s slender over-all majority has been whittled away by deaths and movement of some politicians to outside posts. The by-elections to fill these vacancies delivered some crushing blows to Labour, as the public reacted against Britain’s economic troubles.

Even Labour Party workers admit there is no chance of catching up with the big Conservative majority of 5761 votes at Westminster in the last General Election of October, 1974. The seat was held by Mr Christopher Tugendhat, who left to become a European Common Market commissioner in Brussels.

Many politicians agree that the Government can carry on unless it presents to Parliament a measure regarded by the small Liberal Party and others as “too socialist” for them to support the Labour side.

But a bigger worry for Mr Callaghan will come later this year when two other byelections—in Labour seats—will be held at dates not yet announced. These could go to the Conservatives on present swings of opinion. They will be to replace Mr Roy Jenkins, who is now president of the Common Market Commission, and the late Foreign Secretary (Mr Anthony Crosland), who died last Saturday.

Canvassers moved into Buckingham Palace yesterday while doing their rounds to ’attract votes. They were seeking staff rather than ’members of the Royal family.