14 MAY 1921, Page 14

THE HASTINGS ELECTION.

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."]

6u4, In your note on the recent election you say that " Labour is evidently making no impression on Hastings," a statement which does not seem to be borne out by the figures. In 1918 the Labour candidate polled 3,556 votes, his only oppo- nent being the late member; in 1921, with three candidates in the field, the Labour vote has increased by more than one half, namely, from 3,556 to 5,437, in spite of—or, it may be, due to— the coal strike and a local strike of the tramwaymen.—I am,