WARMING UP

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23115, 1 February 1945, Page 5

WARMING UP

Party Politics In Britain Tempers Becoming Frayed By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright LONDON, Jan. 30. Party politics are warming up in Britain to such an extent that it is thought that if the present atmosphere continues, the Coalition Government will not be able to continue. The party political strife is stated to be already casting its’ shadow on the proceedings in the House of Commons. Tempers are becoming more frayed and criticism more tart.

A statement made by Mr C. R. Attlee (Deputy-Prime Minister) to his constituents in Limehouse is stated to have done nothing to increase good humour. His speech is described as a vigorous send-off to the plans for overhauling the local party machinery for the next election. In the course of his Statement, Mr Attlee said: “When the general election comes, the Labour Party is going into the fight as a party on its own with its tail well up, because we have done our share in winning the war There will be no fix-up—you cannot have a sham election as at the end of the last war.” Forecasting that the election would occur within a reasonable time after the end of the war in Europe, Mr Attlee added: “From indications all over the country people from all classes are swinging to the Left. Lots of people have come to me and said: ‘I have been a Conservative all my life, but I am changing. I have seen the nation come first in war. I want it to come first in peace.’ Not only among economists but even among bankers opinion has swung our way. “But watch out for stunt scares—you remember the pre-war savings scare. The Labour Party has got to make people proof against stunts and scares before they are sprung.”

Labour and Young People

Mr Attlee said that Labour had magnificent material in its young people, who must be encouraged to take responsibility. It would go all out for implementing what ordinary men and women were fighting for —food, homes, comfort, work and leisure. Mr Attlee gave a warning that the nation could not do away with the need for adequate planning and control. The reference to “stunts and scares” has given offence to many in the opposite parties. Mr William Barkley, writing in the “Daily Express,” commenting eti Mr Attlee’s remarks regarding the swing to Labour, inquired why Mr Churchill does not make an electioneering speech like the Deputy-Prime Minister. He says: “Just to balance things it is time we had a speech from Mr Churchill in Epping (his constituency). “Lots of working men have been saying to me that they are so ‘fed up’ with being bawled at by a sergeantmajor and directed by the Minister of Labour and hamstrung and hounded by the State that they will never vote Socialist again.” At which, adds Mr Barkley, there would be a howl of protest to the effect that the Prime Minister is abusing his position as National leader and descending to be leader of the Conservative Party. It is not so long, of course, since Mr Anthony Eden, Mr Ralph Assheton and Captain Oliver Lyttelton were accused of making party speeches on behalf of the. Conservatives, but since then Labour members have not been backward.

Three Domestic Issues

In addition to Mr Attlee’s comments Mr E. Shinwell recently declared: “Victory no longer depends on the Prime Minister, or on continuation of the Coalition. When it suits the Tories they will make ah end of the Coalition.” He suggested that Labour might consider if it would not be better to give the Tories notice now, adding that jt was not sacrilege to criticise the Prime Minister.

It seems fairly certain that as the election approaches there will be at least three domestic issues that will sharpen into controversies—nationalisation, housing and the preservation of individual liberty against undue State encroachment. While Labour is committed to nationalisation, Conservative opposition to this is stated to be clear and determined, but not merely negative. The future of coal, gas and electricity is being discussed and Mr Robert Foot’s recently announced plan for coal is an instance of Conservative thought. Housing, or lack of it, is of course, the burning question, while encroachment on the liberty of private individuals is wrapped up with the whole question of controls to which Mr Attlee referred. All Parties Preparing

Meantime, all parties are preparing their candidates and in addition to the figures mentioned previously it is reported that 260 members of the services have now either been adopted or are awaiting adoption. With the exception of 12, all are rankers. These 12 are made up of three Communists, two members of the Common Wealth Party, six Liberals and one Labour. The Conservatives have no candidate under the rank of second lieutenant. Most of the service candidates come from the Army and include LieutenantGeneral Sir Bernard Freyberg, who is standing for Spelthorpe, Middlesex. Only one servicewoman has so far been nominated. She is a Wren. It is interesting to note that comparatively few women are offering themselves as candidates, and it is reported that many who do, fail to satisfy the selection committee. So far the Conservatives have adopted eight, Labour 24, Liberal 18, Common Wealth four, and Communists seven.