DUCHESS M.P.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23690, 23 December 1938, Page 12

DUCHESS M.P.

REPUDIATED BY ASSOCIATION.. . WILL BECOME INDEPENDENT (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, Nov, 21. The Duchess of Atholl, who was Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education from 1924 to 1929. will not be the official National Conservative candidate for Kinross and West Perth at the next general election. She. has represented the constituency in Parliament for the past 15 years. The annual general meeting of the Kinross and West Perth 'Unionist Association, held in Perth, decided by 273 votes to 167 to seek another candidate. Her refusal to support the Government’s foreign policy and her rejec--. lion of the Government whip are the reasons for her deposition. An impassioned plea by the Duke of Atholl, who presided, for continued,, support for the Duchess,., was frequently interruped by members of the ■ audience. The Duchess, who was not present, staled later that she would fight the next general election as an Independent Unionist. MORE FREEDOM She said: “I am not in the least: discouraged by the decision. In fact., it will give me greater freedom. I am ready to fight an election in Kinross and West Perthshire , whenever the day comes. I will work hand in hand with members of other parties for the best foreign policy, not only for the benefit of Great Britain, but for the peace of the. world.” The Duke of Atholl said: .“The Duchess is absolutely safe for return at the next election, no matter what happens —for her personality if for nothing else. The. association has for the last few years been run by what; I may term a junta.” THE DUKE RESIGNS The Duke of Atholl resigned from the chairmanship of the association immediately after the vote was an- ‘ nounced. The Duchess resigned her party’s whip in the House of, ..Common*, recently, and has ooposed Mr Cham-' berlain’s “Munich” policy. She has also fought against the Government’s policy of non-intervention in Spain, and is a supporter of the Barcelona Government.