LIBERAL VICTORY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 115, 13 February 1928, Page 8

LIBERAL VICTORY

AT BRITISH BY-ELECTION THE LANCASTER SEAT Hr Telegraph.—press association. (Copyright.) London, February 10. The Lancaster by-election caused by Sir Gerald Strickland being raised to the Peerage, resulted as follows:— R. Tomlinson (Lib.) 11,689 H. Ranisbothan (Con.) 12,860 D. Davies (Lab.) 6,101 [At the general election the result was : Sir Gerald Strickland (Con.) 15,243; J. J. ONeil (Lib.), 11,085, H. M. Watkins (Lab.), 5572.] REJOICING IN LIBERAL RANKS REMARKABLE ATTACK ON LLOYD GEORGE (Rec. February 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 11. There is unrestrained lejoiciug in Liberal ranks over Lancaster’s unexpected turnover from a 4000 majority for Conservatism to 800 for Liberalism, in view of a remarkable attack on Mr. Lloyd George by Lord Ashton, the town’s largest employer of labour, who said that Mr. Lloyd George was a dangerous man, disloyal to party and country, and a wrecker of a great historical party, a man whom his own

political associates mistrusted. The vote is regarded equally as a vindication of Mr. Lloyd George as a definite revival of Liberalism, more so in view of Mr. Lloyd George’s dramatic appearance at Lancaster to refute the attack.

Mr. Lloyd George says it is a stunning victory, and will have a historical effect on future politics in England. Conservative opinion would seem to support this view. The “Daily Express” editorially describes it as a severe Government setback, but welcomes the Liberal victory because a moderate dose of Liberal victories would be a tonic to a Ministry distinctly sluggish under the weight of its own majority. It will rehearten the Liberals and give fresh heart to win recruits who otherwise might have drifted to the Socialists.

The “Daily Chronicle,” a Lloyd George journal, says it is a magnificent victory. Liberalism could not ask for higher encouragement. Labour’s official organ, the "Daily Herald,” deplores the Labour defeat, but editorially says: "To Mr. Baldwin once again we have the happy privilege of conveying thanks that Toryism is on the downward path. Lancaster is the thirty-eighth by-election since the general election. The Conservatives have won twenty-one, Labour twelve, and the Liberals five. Labour has’ gained sixseats from the Conservatives, and one from the Liberals The Liberals have gained one from Labour and two from the Conservatives, and the Conservatives one from the Liberals. 'Hie aggregate polling has been as follows:— Thirty-four Conservatives, 470,307; thirtv-three Labourites, 349,226; thirtyfive Liberals, 283,670.