BRITISH POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26216, 29 July 1946, Page 6

BRITISH POLITICS

BY-ELECTION TRENDS CONSERVATIVES’ PROSPECTS TALK OF LIBERAL REVIVAL (From E, G. Webber, N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent) (Rec. 8 p.m.) LONDON, July 28. The only significant trend emerging from the three by-elections held last week was at Bexley, where on the first anniversary of Labour's general election victory, the Labour vote was reduced by 9912 and the Conservative vote was increased by 4935. Bexley did not become a constituency until 1945, and therefore has n 6 political traditions like Pontypool and Battersea, which have been Labour strong-, holds for years. Moreover, Bexley is a suburban London area, which is in many ways typical of the middle vote, whose swing against the Conservatives was largely responsible for putting the Government in power in 1945.

One shrewd Labour leader is credited with the comment: “It was Bexleys which gave us a majority last time,” and if this is accepted as true, last week’s result at Bexley has more than the ordinary, rather doubtful significance of by-election votes. Naturally the Bexley result is hailed by the Government’s opponents as a convincing defeat for Labour policy; but probably it is best taken as an indication that the Conservatives have more support to-day in this class of constituency than the Labour Party has. I believe it is probably only coincidence that the Conservative vote at Bexley was almost the same as. the total Liberal vote polled there in 1945, when it was a three-cornered contest. Anti-Socialist Front

There has been, some talk lately of a Liberal revival and the formation of a united anti-Socialist front; but at present there are only 20 Liberals at. Westminster, and they are split into four different camps. Until the Liberals can agree between themselves, they are unlikely to become an important political force. Some Important changes, however, are likely in the Conservative attitude as a result of pointers given at Bexley and elsewhere.

The first shock of the 1945 defeat has now worn off, and development of the Government’s policy of nationalisation confronts the Opposition with clear-cut issues. Conservatives are unlikely in the future to limit their criticism of the Government to attacks upon Labour doctrines and suggestions for improvement to Labour legislation. The acerbity which crept into all of last week’s by-elections is a foretaste of this. Naturally enough, the Conservatives made bread rationing the prime issue, but indications were that it did not provide them with the response for which they hoped. Lord Woolton Party Chairman

The election of Lord Woolton to the chairmanship of the Conservative Party is a very important political step. The name Woolton is still one with which to conjure in rationed Britain, where there is a tendency to make invidious comparisons between the administration of the food situation during the war and at present. These comparisons are not always fair to Lord Woolton’s Labour successors, who were forced to contend with disillusionment in place of war-time unity and to attempt to feed Great Britain without the aid of lehd-lease. The fact remains, however, that Lord Woolton has a name for getting things done in a department which has a very direct bearing on the ballot box and that his talent for organisation and generalship is likely to have a strong influence upon the diminished fortunes of his party. As a member of the House of Lords, it is unlikely that he will achieve parliamentary leadership which still, despite Labour kite flying, is firmly in the hands of Mr Churchill.

Mr Churchill takes the view that as the leader of the Conservatives in the hour of one of their greatest defeats it is his duty to remain in office until they can be brought out of the wilderness. It is recognised that anno domini may have an influence on this, however, and speculation upon the eventual Conservative leadership is, therefore, likely to continue. At present, despite definite opposition within the party, Mr Eden is still popularly regarded as Mr Churchill's probable successor.

Mr Attlee’s Growing Prestige

Within the Government, the growing prestige of Mr Attlee appears evident Unlike some of his predecessors, the Prime Minister leaves the administration of their various departments, to his Ministerial colleagues, and confines himself to his tasks as leader of the Government. The opinion of the great majority of Labour rank and file is that no one else among the party hierarchy would be capable of holding so even and impartial a balance between competing personalities on the .Government front bench. In the House, Mr Attlee has lost his earlier diffidence and has developed a calm incisiveness which is an effective contrast to the ebullience of some of the other Ministers.

The greatest test confronting the Government greater considerably than bread rationing—is coal. The whole basis of British economy rests on coal, and it is the Government’s intention to make the coal industry the first testing ground for nationalisation. By the results of this test, future British Labour government will largely stand or fall.