15 OCTOBER 1965, Page 9

Y o unt; Shadows Spotting future classic winners at the New- Market

yearling sales is an agreeable pastime. So Is long-range political forecasting. It is this that adds interest to Mr. Heath's promotions to the tr°11t bench, and also adds spice to the believe of a Government shuffle—it is hard to last that the grey weekend list is Mr. Wilson's 4S,I, Word, berth Tories made the transition to the front nc,11 i II a few days under the year from Octo- ber '6, 1964. No surprises. Geoffrey Howe would have been on everybody's short list, and the rest were all strongly tipped. The strength of the Tory 1964 intake is shown by the fact that at least half a dozen more could have been promoted with general applause.

When is Mr. Wilson going to be equally courageous? The Labour party 1964 intake is also of considerable calibre. I hope it won't spoil their chances if I tip Brian Walden, Roy Hattersley and David Ennals. They are miles in front of most of Mr. Wilson's elderly junior ministers. And I urge Mr. Wilson to promote them soon. I expect each of them to lose his seat at the general election.