SIR STAFFORD CRIPPS

Greymouth Evening Star, 11 February 1942, Page 5

SIR STAFFORD CRIPPS

“PLACE IS IN WAR CABINET”

LONDON, February 9. “With the exception of Mr. Churchill, Sir Stafford Cripps is the most arresting figure in political life to-day,” says the “Daily Mail,” in a leading article.

“The reason is the great anxiety throughout the country over th’e admitted fact that Mr. Churchill takes sole responsibility for the strategical conduct of the war. It is felt that the other members of the War Cabinet are either afraid or incompetent to take their share of responsibility. Also, it is felt that independent members of Parliament outside the Government are not of sufficient weight or authority to challenge the Government on importarft policy,’ or to perform the functions of a Parliamentary Opposition.

• “This is where Sir Stafford Cripps comes in. The country believes him to be a man of great ability, integrity, and courage, and of sufficient Parliamentary stature either to lead a formidable opposition or, if he entered the War Cabinet, to refuse to become a cipher and insist on the constitutional right of Cabinet members to take equal responsibility for all decisions. “Sir Stafford Cripps is far abler than most members of the Government. His place is in the War Cabinet, and he is right to refuse any other offer.”