BRITAIN’S POLITICS

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 January 1944, Page 6

BRITAIN’S POLITICS

EARLY ELECTION DISCUSSED

LONDON, January 19. Whether the new session of this Parliament will be its last; and will it. be followed by an end of the Coalition, a general election, and a return to party politics, are questions engaging attention in British political circles. There are many people wno are of opinion that the answers win be "yes.” ~ , „ The “Manchester Guardian s political correspondent says: Parliament is meeting under a strong sense that this session will settle the fate of the Coalition and the future of the parties. Even ' Ministers have told us this may be, the last session of the present Parliament, which is anotnei way of saying there will be a general election before next Christmas. He adds: While it is less likely that there will be heard such prognostications during an invasion yet a successful invasion will make an election certain. He continues: —While this time last year the Coalition was what insurance companies call “a good life,” the position has now changed. The Labour Conference has insisted on being consulted before any decision is taken by its leaders in favour of remaining in the Coalition. The Liberals have actually voted for withdrawal at the end of the war. Mr. Churchill has himself confessed that of the alternatives of an appeal to the country by the Coalition and an appeal by the three Parties, each fighting for its own hands, the second is the likelier. The “Observer’s” political correspondent expresses the opinion that the present session may be~ the last one of the war against Germany, which will be the dominating. laCv when Parliament re-assembles. He continues. "No policy has been announced. An early peace is the only agenda. This troubles many memoers of Parliament in all parties. Is the coalition based on compromise. Is n incurably costive in home ariairs. Would not a party Governmem. with a new mandate as soon as possible, do much better? There is no Opposition, and not even a united front ol critics, still less an alternative Government.” , . ... „ There is much restlessness at t ie political truce, which is allowing ihe. Commonwealth Party to make heaaway, and in the country there is a restlessness that has been commented upon previously, at an apparent lack of planning for post-war reconstruction. ' There is speculation whether Mr. Churchill may commern on the position. It is recalled that he did so after his last period of convalescence.