POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 140, 11 December 1923, Page 7

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

THE POSITION-OF LABOUR.

(STDJtBr 5W CABLB.V • . LONDON, 9th December. Mr. Clifford Sharp, editor of the " New Statesman," m an article in the " Daily News," declares that a solution of the deadlock most welcome to the Labourites would be a Tory-Liberal coalition. Even if it lasted for only a few months, there would be a huge defection of Liberals to Labour. There^ is not the slightest prospect of the liberal Party committing suicide in this fashion, and therefore the Labour leaders must consider other alternatives.; There is a possibility of the Conservatives remaining in office for a- few monthg under a new Prime Minister, and ar. ranging another election about June when the 'Juries, fighting without the Protection incubus, and able to «pendi more money than their rivals, would win some seats from Liberal and Labour. A second alternative is for Labour to accept office with or without a'more or less definite Liberal promise of support. This is what Labour's aetute enemies are advocating. It is not likely that Mr. Macdonald will fall into the trap, but it will be difficult to refuse office if, as Leader of the Op. position, he declines to keep a Tory Government in power and the Liberals spontaneously offer support. If he accepted office on these terms, he would not have real legislative power, and would be sent to the country discredited within a year. " A third alternative is 3 LifceralLabour coalition, with Labour as the predominant partner. This solution, which would almost certainly be favourable to the majority of the Liberal rank and file, would seem the best solution fEom the viewpoint of Labour and the public interest. If Labour is always going to refuse office until it has a Clear working majority, and is also to carry out its own programme it is likely to have to wait till Doomsday