BRITISH LOCAL ELECTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21639, 3 November 1933, Page 8

BRITISH LOCAL ELECTIONS

The annual municipal elections, held in the cities and boroughs of England and Wales, already indicate substantial gains by the Labour Party. The returns are not, complete, so the final summary of losses and gains cannot be made. Further, these elections do not involve the return of entire .councils, but only of one-third to replace rotational retirements, so that changes in control are more significant than gross figures. The Labour gains, at present 175 seats won front Conservatives, Liberals and Independents, represent, a partial recouping of the heavy losses suffered two years ago. The local elections in 1031 were held a week after the Parliamentary election which saw the National Govern moid returned and the Labour Party shattered. Labour similarly suffered a drastic reverse in the cities and boroughs. For instance, 203 seats were lost in 28 London boroughs, without a single gain being registered. This meant that control of five councils passed from the hands of Labour majorities, leaving only three Poplar, Bermondscy and Deptford with Labour in the ascendant. Similarly, in R0 cities and large boroughs outside London Labour lost 200 seats for a gain of 5. Majorities in a number of fancied strongholds disappeared. Last year lit tli 1 of the lost ground was regained. Labour made a net gain of five seats, but the Conservatives gained 12, the Liberals losing 16 and the Independents one. On that occasion the Times declared that Labour stood to profit from the, apathy of those who did not support its policy or wish to see the regime of economy in local government reversed. It is very probable that failure to heed this warning has had a good deal to do with the results of, the election just held. There is always in local government so large a volume of apathy that the energetic, well organised and aggressive party has a continual opportunity to seize the advantage and gain the majority.