MARRIED COUPLE

Grey River Argus, 9 March 1928, Page 5

MARRIED COUPLE

In House of Commons TORIES LATEST DEFEAT. LONDON, March 7. The result of St. Ives by-election, owing to Mr Hakes’s judgeship, was:— Mrs Walter Runciman, wife of a member of the Commons (Liberal), 10,241. Sir Andrew Caird (Conservative) 9,478. Fred Hopkins (Labourite) 4,343. The result of the Saint Ives’ by-elec-tion establishes a precedent in the House of Commons, as a man and wife will sit together. As both are Liberals, it is a less piquant situation than if they belonged to opposing parties. Mr. Runciman at present sits next to Mr. Lloyd George in the Front Bench. The question arises whether Mrs. Runciman will be permitted to sit next to her husband, or in humbler place on the back Bench. The victory has set the Liberal bells ringing. The Conservatives do not disguise the fact that the turnover of votes is considerable, although they point out that Saint Ives has a reputation of being a persistent wobbler. The “Daily Express” editorially says: It is a sharp disappointment to the Government, since every by-elec-tion now assumes new significance. It shows the revival of Liberalism is not a mere wish, but a vital fact. Events definitely point to Liberalism taking its rightful place as the natural alternative to a Conservative Government.

LABOUR REVERSE. (Received March 9 at 720 p.m.) Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn & Sun Cable) LONDON, March 7. The Middlesborough bye-election, owing to the death of the Rt. Hon. C. P. Trevelyan, resulted: — Thompson Kingslev Griffiths (Liberal) .. W,717 A. Ellis (Labour) 10,fi28 Stanley Sadler (Conservative) 8,213 The Labour majority at the previous election was 896, there being only a Conservative in the field* *