Labour at the General Election
The National Executive Committee of the Labour Party has recommended the party to fight the next general election as an independent political force. This is undoubtedly what a majority of the rank and file want, and what the present position in the House of Commons dictates. The continuance of the electoral truce in a general election would preclude substantial change in the repre- sentation of the parties', with the result that the Labour Party almost certainly and the Liberal Party perhaps would remain under-represented; Indeed, there would be little point in having an election at all if the country were merely asked to affirm its approval of the conduct of the war and the agreed part of the post-war settlement. Such all election would satisfy only those who desire a continuance of the status quo in the House of Commons. There is no inconsistency at all in believing that a coalition after the war as well as now is desirable in this period so critcal for the nation, and in holding at the same time that the country ought to choose between candidates of different political views, and so determine . the character of the new House of Commons. An election in which candidates could not fight on party lines would be unreal, and would be a gift to freak candidates. But it would be a great pity if in consequence of this decision the Labour Ministers were required to resign, and Mr. Churchill found himself forced to constitute a Government without them. If that position arose, -Labour would be put under the unwelcome necessity of opposing Mr. Churchill himself, and would suffer heavy losses in consequence. Much the fairest plan would be that Labour Ministers should remain in the Government, that the party truce should be maintained in constituencies held by Ministers of Cabinet rank, and that elsewhere the parties should have a free hand.
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