LABOUR'S POLICY

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 23, 27 July 1945, Page 8

LABOUR'S POLICY

NEW WORLD ORDER

PREVENTION OF WAR Kec. 10.40 a.m. LONDON, July 26. Commenting on the result of the election, Mr. Attlee stated: "We have never swerved from our position of the need for a new world order for the prevention of war. Equally, we have a new world policy which is based on endeavour to raise the standards of life of the masses throughout the world. Our home policy is in consonance with our foreign 'policy' We set that out perfectly clearly before the elections. I think the results show that the electors understand that policy and realise that Labour has the will and the men to carry it out. "Labour went into this election on a carefully thought-out programme based on very definite principles. We have a long tradition in foreign affairs and a policy which we endeavoured to put into force when Mr. Arthur Henderson was our. Foreign Secretary. "A remarkable thing about the poll is the heavy Labour vote, not only in areas where Labour previously was . strong, but in rural, urban, manufacturing, and residential districts. Every kind of constituency has shown a great increase in the Labour vote. Labour was fortunate in having a fine lot of candidates, including a., great, many young servicemen, who will bring into the Commons the spirit of the new age. "We are facing a new era, and I believe that the result shows that the people of Britain are facing it with courage, as they faced the long years of the war. I believe we are on' the eve of a great advance in the human race that will mean not only work here but, above all,. co-operation with other : nations, particularly our great Allies, Russia and America." ■ EXCITEMENT AT TRANSPORT HOUSE. Mr. Attlee was mobbed at the Labour Party's headquarters (Transport ' House), when he entered with his wife as the sensational results were being flashed on the screen in a darkened room. The building was crammed all day with excited Labour supporters. Loud cheers greeted Mr. Attlee upon his arrival, .scores of people milling about the couple, slapping their backs t and attempting to shake hands. Mr. Attlee said:- "It is a remarkable and gratifying result which shows that the electorate will respond to a definite policy based on principles and their application to the needs of the day. This is the first time Labour has had a clear majority, and it will be able '.to implement the Socialist Party's policy." » Mr. Attlee later posed for scores of film and other cameramen outside Transport House. He said: "I believe the people' have made up their minds regarding the kind of policy they want to see, both at home and in foreign policy, and have confidence that Labour can deliver the goods. I and my colleagues fully realise the magnitude of the task facing us." Mr. Herbert Morrison, chairman of the Labour campaign committee, declared that Labour had succeeded in putting the issues clearly before the public, whereas the Conservatives had tried to convert the election into a plebiscite for or against Mr. Churchill. "I denounced that as something in the nature of an imitation of Nazism, and I think the country has proved that_ it regarded it in the same way," he said. "Mr. Churchill went hopelessly from the beginning, and I had the feeling that he was not a good electioneer, and in some respects that it was sad /-that th/a man who led the country so I ably "thro\?£h the European war should L - ; ..■■■■ ■■■■

have led his party on such a low level during the election. He joined in stunts and cultivated red herrings, and was as good as anybody in inventing irrelevancies.

"The Labour Government's business will have to be bold, determined, and sensible to carry through its programme. We must have a combination of boldness and good sense." Mr. Morrison drew attention to the swing of middle-class votes to Labour and said this was the first time Labour had obtained a real grip in this section of the country.