LABOUR IN BRITAIN

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 January 1939, Page 5

LABOUR IN BRITAIN

EXPULSION OF SIR STAFFORD CRIPPS DIVISION OF OPINION. BRISTOL BRANCH SUPPORTS. ITS MEMBER. LONDON, January 26. Following on its expulsion of Sir Stafford Cripps, the National Executive of the Labour Party issued a statement describing Sir Stafford Cripp’s campaign over a long period as calculated to weaken the unity, of the party, and his present action is harmful. Sir Stafford, in a statement, said that he trusted his friends would redouble their efforts to secure the combination of all anti-Fascist forces in order to get a Government which would effectively protect democracy and freedom. The Labour Council in Bristol East, Sir Stafford Cripps’s constituency, later passed a motion of confidence in Sir Stafford.

Sir Stafford Cripps, who was Solici-tor-General in the last Labour Government, has been in conflict with the Labour Party for some time past. In 1937 he left the Labour Crusade Week because of "gross unfairness" to his colleagues, alleging that the national executive had been guilty of high-hand-ed action in refusing nomination for Parliamentary seats to some of them. That year he was told by the Labour Party that he must leave the leftwing Socialist League or be expelled from, the party. The Labour Party opposes the creation of a Popular Front, and has issued several manifestoes explaining its position. It believes that the formation of such a front would result in its being "distracted from its main purpose” by the need to circumvent Communist manoeuvres.

At the end of 1937 Sir Stafford Cripps that he retained his views, though the move for a Popular Front had been rejected by the Bournemouth conference by a large majority. A renewed move for such a front was made by the Communists last year when they determined to “fully accept” the constitution of the Labour Party . . and abide by all decisions of Labour Party conferences.”

OTHERS MAY FOLLOW

SUPPORT FOR SIR S. CRIPPS LONDON, January 26. The possibility that others may follow Sir Stafford Cripps out of the Labour Partj' is indicated by Mr Aneurian Bevan’s statement that if Sir Stafford had been expelled for wanting to unite the forces of freedom and democracy.” they can go on expelling others. They can expel me. His crime is my crime. He has given a lead and many of us will follow." Sir Stafford Cripps, in the memorandum which the Labour Party Executive condemned, declared that the time was ripe for a great forward movement toward democracy. He advocated "concentrating opposition.” adding, “it is not right for any party in a time of crisis to insist on the full measure of its doctrines and policies."