NEW ERA BEGINS

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

NEW ERA BEGINS

LABOUR FACES TEST

DIFFICULT TIMES AHEAD (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) Rec. noon. LONDON, July 26. A new phase begins in Great Britain * today. For the first time in a quarter of a century the power of the Conservative Party was decisively broken by what can .legitimately be regarded as a bloodless revolution.

The British public, which had appeared to be so apathetic and disinterested in the early stages of an election campaign which many declared was not wanted, threw out Me, Churchill's Cabinet Ministers neck and crop and gave Labour a majority such as the party, even in its most optimistic dreams, never believed could be attained. *•

Eight up until 9 o'clock this morning, when the counting began, it was the general opinion that either Mr. Churchill's Government would return with a narrow majority or that there would be something in the nature of a stalemate. Few would have guessed or cared to place a bet that soon a Labour Government would be in power and that Mr. Churchill's Government would go out on a landslide, with his Ministers falling like ninepins.

DISTRUST OF CONSERVATIVES,

Although opinions are now being carefully weighed, it is not too much to say that the basic reason for Mr. Churchill's defeat is the working people's distrust of. the Conservative Party, with which is associated a capitalistic system which, rightly or wrongly, is regarded as discredited. Not all the immense prestige of a great war leader, Mr. Churchill, and which unfortunately for him and his party he sadly tarnished during the election campaign, was sufficient to swing the people away from the opinions which, they have been forming steadily for the past six or seven years.

These were influenced by the scars left by the slump years, the feeling that a Conservative Government had been responsible for the drift towards war, - coupled with the fear that the people's interests might be 'sacrificed in the post-war years for profits, together with deep distrust of vested interests and big business. The mood of the country was obviously for increased nationalisation and a-greater share by the common man and woman not only in the running of the country, but in its wealth.

MOOD MISJUDGED,

Mr. Churchill and the Beaverbrook Press entirely misjudged this mood and aggravated it and irritated it with "'Gestapo" scares and the Laski "red herring," and by neglecting to fight more on policy than on emotional appeals.

The country, Which for six years had known what it wanted and fought for it, was still unshaken in its opinions and equally prepared to vote for what it wanted.

What effect a more moderate tone by Mr. Churchill during the campaign would have had on the vote, what effect less violent partisanship by the popular Press would have had on public feeling, will be likely to remain one of the enigmas of this election.

Other factors which must also be taken into account are the extra irritations caused by what many regarded as a forced election immediately after the war with an incomplete register which disenfranchised many.

ROAD NOT EASY,

The trend of the new phase in Great Britain's history depends on whether Labour, with its strong majority, will adopt a moderate path or go to extremes. Despite its firm majority, its path will not be easy with the postwar tangle at home and abroad to be cleared up. At home particularly, with incipient industrial unrest, the problems, of the housing, coal, and labour shortage, and also the recapturing of overseas exports, the new Government will have to step warily, but surely. For it is certain that if it does not produce solutions of these questions there will be an inevitable swing of the pendulum which will be equally vicious in its impact on Labour as today's results have been upon the Conservatives.

Of the many surprises of the election which cannot be described as other than sensational in the true meaning of the word, one is the massacre of the Liberal Party. The high hopes of its rejuvenation failed before the implacable mood of the electorate and even its leader was defeated, together with Sir William Beveridge, whose name has become famous throughout the community.

DEFEAT OF MINISTERS

Another surprise, which is also- a sensation, is the long list of defeated Cabinet Ministers—proof enough of the dislike and suspicion in which the Conservatives are held. This list constitutes such a defeat as Mr. Churchill, in his years as Prime Minister, has never had to survey, and it is made more impressive by the fact that the polling was heavy.

It can be said that Mr. Churchill largely contributed towards; his own defeat both by his trenchant denunciations of Socialism and by accepting the persuasions of his advisers. The interesting point is that once again it has been proved that however much the public may buy and read the popular Press, they keep an independent mind where their political opinions are concerned.

The result of the election will have many repercussions at home and abroad; at home, where the forces of opposition can be expected to gather themselves quickly, financially, perhaps as well as politically, abroad, where close scrutiny will be kept to see where the policy of the new Government differs from the old.

One thing- is clear. There will be no slackening: in (he war against Japan, nor in the desire to maintain friendship with America and Russia.

As from today, British Labour faces its greatest testing time, and the biggest opportunity of its career to prove its merit. It has the waight of public opinion behind it in its heavy responsibility.