BRITISH LIBERAL PARTY

Evening Star, Issue 20635, 7 November 1930, Page 9

BRITISH LIBERAL PARTY

SUPPORT OF COVERNMENT LETTER BY SIR JOHN SIMON (British Official Wireless.) press Association — By Telegraph—Copyright. RUGBY, November 5. A letter which was written by Sir John Simon to Mr Lloyd George ten days ago was published to-day. In it he states his disinclination to support the Government, which he considers has proved “ a complete failure in practically all departments.” He also expresses decided opposition to the Government proposal to revise the present trade union law. Sir John Simon voted against the Government last night. » SAVING THEIR OWN SKINS ” LONDON. November 5, Sir John Simon authorises publication of the letter sent to Mr Lloyd George, the principal points of which are that Labour has been in office for seventeen months, and has ‘ proved a complete failure in practically all departments. “ Your well-meant efforts to help it to do something effective have produced no result except to expose the Liberals to the reproach that they are keeping in friendly contact with the Socialists in an effort to save their own skins. If, therefore, the question arises regarding confidence in the Government I shall feel obliged to vote in any way to show that I, at any rate, have no confidence in it. Having thought the situation carefully over, 1 hold that. this plain course is the best, and the tactics must take care of themselves.”

EVENT OF POLITICAL IMPORTANCE

MAY CAUSE FURTHER DEFECTIONS. LONDON, November 6. Everywhere it is agreed that Sir John Simon’s letter is an event of political importance, and will damage the prestige of both thn followers ot Mr Lloyd George and the Government. The effect will possibly be even' greater in the country than m parliamentary circles. The position at present is that fortyeight Liberal members of the House of Commons are anxious to keep Labour in office for reasons connected with party finance in the hope of wringing from Labour nn electoral measure which would favour the party’s prospects in the constituencies. The remaining ten, including Sir John Simon and Sir Robert Hutchison, are not disposed to afford the Labour Party the least support, but are prepared to act regardless of the consequences. Sir John Simon’s letter may be the cause of further defections, thus rendering the position of the Government in critical divisions 1 most precarious, especially if the Leftists are restless, hut politicians express’the opinion that by avoiding ultra-contentious measures and hiding behind the Imperial and Indian Conferences the Government may hang on till the spring. Labour headquarters are appealing for a special election fund. They state that, though an immediate election is not anticipated, they must in no wise neglect precautions against a sudden crisis. The Liberals are also initiating a new fund.