Labour's Home Policy
The Labour Party has issued a spirited declaration on home policy, for submission to the Party Conference in Bournemouth next week. It reasserts its belief in the creation by constitutional means of the full Socialist State, without dictatorship of the Left or the Right, and sets out the items in its programme of nationali- sation and development of the social services. But it differs from all other statements of Labour policy by directly relating it to the situation that arises from the war, and will arise imme- diately after it. It is entitled, as it does, to put forward claims based on the sacrifices which the party and the trade unions are making in helping the war effort ; and it will win the approval of many outside its ranks when it stresses the importance of planning in advance measures to deal with the industrial crises that peace will bring. It asserts the necessity of preparing con- structive plans now. It points out, naturally and inevitably, that the Government in order to win the war has been compelled to apply drastic measures of State control and direction in an ever-extending sphere of industry, itself making bulk purchases of food-imports and raw materials, and controlling railways and shipping. It maintains that there must be no going back on socialist measures adopted in war-time, and that national planning for war must be adapted to national planning for peace. it makes out its case with vigour, with moderation, but with o half-heartedness. This is the best statement of the party case produced for some time.
Previous page
