BRITISH POLITICS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10509, 13 February 1928, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

LANCASTER BY-ELECTION

LIBERALS ELATED. BY VICTORY.

DOES IT MEAN TURNING OF

POLITICAL TIDE

ALLEGED VINDICATION OF LLOYD GEORGE

(United Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Feb. 10.

The Lancaster by-election, necessitated owing to G. Strickland’s elevation to the peerage, resulted: R. Tomlinson (Liberal) 14,689); H. Eamsbotham (Conservative) 12.860; D. Davies (Labor) 6101. The previous Lancaster election resulted: Sir Gerald Strickland, G.C. M.G. (Conservative)- 15,243; J. JG’lN'eil (Liberal) 11,085; H. M. Watkins (Labor) 5572. (Aust’ and N.Z. Cable Association). (Received Feb. 12, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Fell. 11.

There is unrestrained, rejoicing In Liberal ranks over Lancaster’s unexpected turnover from a 4000 majority for Conservatism to 800 for Liberalism in view of the remarkable attack on ’Mr Lloyd George by Lord Ashton, the town’s largest employer of labor, who said that AH Lloyd George was- a dangerous rnari, disloyal to his-partv and country, and the wrecker of a great historical party—a man whose own political associates mistrusted him.

The vote is regrded equally as a vindication of Air Lloyd George and as a definite revival of Liberalism, more so in view of Mr Lloyd George’s dramatic appearance at Lancaster to refute the attack. Mr Lloyd George says: “It is a stunning victory and will have a historical effect on future politics of England.” Conservative opinion would seem to support the view. The Daily Express, editorially describes it as a severe Government setback, but welcomes the Liberal victory because a moderate dose of Liberal victories • would be a tonic to a. Ministry distinctly sluggish under the weight of its own majority. It will rehearten the Liberals and give fresh heart to win recruits who. otherwise, might have drifted to the Socialists. The Daily Chronicle. Air Lloyd George's journal, says: “It was a magnificent victory. Liberalism could not ask for higher encouragement.. Labor’s official organ, the Daily Herald, deplores the Labor defeat, but, editorially, says: ‘To Air Baldwin once again we have the happy privilege of conveying our thanks to that Torvi sin which is on .the downward path. . Lancaster is the thirty-eighth byelection. The Conservatives have won twenty-one. Labor twelve and the Liberals five. Labor has gained -six seats from the Conservatives and one from the Liberals. The ‘Conservatives have gained one from Labor and two from the Conservatives and the Conservatives one from the Liberals. The aggregate polling has bee as follows : Thirty-four Conservatives 470.307; thirtv-three Laborites 349.226 : thirtyfive Liberals 283.670.