ELECTORS' SWING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21777, 28 July 1945, Page 5

ELECTORS' SWING

PRESS ANALYSIS CONSERVATIVES’ FALL CHURCHILL” REVERED (10 a.m.) LONDON. July 27. “No one would dream of interpreting the crushing defeat inflicted on Mr. Churchill’s party as in any way bringing into question his place in history, national pride or the affection and gratitude of the people,” says The Times in a leader. “Even though the electorate exercised once more its right to declare that, gratitude belongs to history and not to politics, no shadow can fall across the name that forever is a national possession.” The Times, after examining the causes of the landslide, adds: “When all allowances are made for the emergence of a new generation of voters and the pendulum swing among the old. it is still necessary to seek an explanation of the Conservative defeat in the circumstances ol' the conduct of the election itself. Mr. Churchill himself introduced, a narrower programme which was allowed to slip into the background, and Mr. Churchill's own stature was temporarily diminished.” Extinction of Liberals The Times describes the virtual extinction of the Liberal Party as a melancholy event, but adds: “The tendency toward two-party grouping is probably inevitable and healthy. The supersession of Mr. Cl urchill may lead to international perplexity, but there is no reason why the world should look for a revolutionary change in foreign or. indeed, domestic policy. The British people stand where they stood throughout the war. Their new representatives will speak the same language as of old.” The Daily Telegraph ■ says: “We must make our account with the *» pleasant ineluctable fact that confidence in British steadiness, and British influence in world affairs has to be justified afresh. The coming years will pass judgment on the electoral decision that dispensed with Mr. Churchill’s services at a moment when the decision was at strange variance with the warm gratitude which every man and woman throughout the country felt towards him.” . “Staggering Victory” The Daily Telegraph adds: “It is safe to assume that many electors, beset by domestic problems which are the aftermath of the war. cast then vote against the existing order without a thought of the complete landide which they produced, and there is little doubt that many are shocked at the realisation of the result and. given the opportunity, would vote very differently next week.” “To call Labour’s 'victory remarkable would be an under-statement; it is staggering,” says the Daily Mail ‘There will naturally be a full inquiry into the reasons for the Conservative defeat. An overhaul of the existing organisation and methods will almost certainly be demanded. , In some aspects of the election, there is no doubt that Mr. Churchill was illadvised, and his principal supporters seemed to be completely out of touch with the feeling of the country.” Thp Daily Express says that a tidal wave has swept over Britain. It is a political debacle which will have the most profound and most far-reaching effects upon the history of Britain and the world. The rejection of Mr. Churchill’s leadership must present itself to the world as an event of great and disturbing significance.” Mighty Achievement

“The performance of the British people in the 1945 general election deserves to rank in history alongside the mightiest of their achievements,' e aid the Daily Herald. “Despite their affection for Mr. Churchill, which will always remain, millions //ho never previously belonged to any party tood firm, bv r h<> uuvction that this 'imp Lnoour must ue returned to fi'-w-’ L.HO- -n wil 1 now prove illine- -jr n Ail; orine greater happio toe country and ney/ lustre to >U leadership among nations.” The News-Chronicle states that tin British nation can now look forward

with renewed hope and courage to an ora of great things. From to-day Britain makes a new start. All the energy, initiative and courage of the great days of 1940 are given a chance to be turned to creative purpose. The Financial Timgs says: “The initial need is for a clear formulation of the new Government’s policy. The nation requires speedy enlightmen! about Mr. Attlee's attitude towards a reduction of taxation, which would have been virtually assured if the Conservatives had been returned.” “Silent Revolution”

“Britain has undergone a silen 1 revolution,” says the Manchester Guardian in a leading article. “The people swung Left in the country no less than the town-When they voted Left, they meant it They voted Labour and knew what they voted for. The Prime Minister -tried to scare them in broadcast after broadcast but their marrows were not frozen We enter a new political world, though we (the Labour leaders too) may shiver just a little at the thought of what lies ahead. We enter it with confidence.

“This is part of the European revolution. The British vote parallels in revulsion and feeling throughout Europe against the old regimes, old habits and thought. There is encouragement in this for. if our affairs are wisely managed, we have a magnificent chance of exerting British leadeiship in a desperately troubled world.” The article says that Lord Beaverbrook's efforts were a great disservice i.o the Conservatives.