“A CONCESSION TO SNOBBERY”

Evening Star, Issue 20310, 19 October 1929, Page 20

“A CONCESSION TO SNOBBERY”

ASSOCIATES OF LABOUR Much curiosity was aroused by the proposal from the national executive of the British Labour Party that _ it should be empowered in its discretion to enrol associate members. The ‘ Daily Telegraph ’ interpreted it as a kind of special license to permit _ a favoured person to accept office without going through a probationary period, or as a scheme to create a class of “ gentle-man-commoners ” comprising those who are handy with their cheque books in time of need. To the ' Yorkshire Post’ the purpose appeared to be the opening of a way into the ranks of Mr MacDonald’s supporters for persons who do not in tho hsast believe in his visions, and yet would like to go along With him either in hope of political preferment or because they discover in a part of his programme an echo of their own vague Immanitarianism for which Liberalism formerly afforded an outlet. The ‘ Evening Standard ’ also thought the purpose was to attract Liberals” “ despairing of ever under present conditions making their voices heard in the counsels of the nation.” it remarked that “ the moral of the whole matter is that in this country there is not the smallest disposition to move to the Left. The Labour Party recognises this, and knows that, ■ if it wishes to be more than merely sectional, it must keep to the Right.” The Labour Party’s own organ, the ‘ Daily Herald,’ indignantly contradicted this interpretation, declaring that the suggestion that the party _is “deserting its distinctively Socialist position is entirely without foundation.” Its explanation of tho proposal was that it was designed to secure " a further widening of membership.” However, the idea did not appeal to the party conference; according to a recent cablegram it was denounced as a concession to snobbery, and the national executive withdrew its remit