THE NATIONALISED INDUSTRIES
SIR,—Bernard Levin tells us that the Abrams analysis of the last election shows (a) that a majority even of Tory voters thinks that four of the nationalised industries—electricity, gas, airlines and atomic energy—are successful; and (h) that 75 per cent. of all voters were against more nationalisation. Then he comes up with the glib 'The conclusions are . . . so obvious that I need not draw them.'
Mr. Levin's acceptance of the logic of poll mathe- matics as the criterion prompts two questions: If four out of six of the nationalised industries- 66 per cent.—are admitted to be successful, why should the Labour Party abandon the principle of nationalisation? Because the 'failure image' of the other two (relics of the nineteenth century which are fighting a losing battle in other comparable countries) has induced a majority of the public to assume that the principle doesn't work?
On the analogy of (b), does Mr. Levin advocate a return to flogging because 78 per cent, are in favour of corporal punishment for certain offences (News Chronicle Gallup Poll, March 21, 1960)?— Yours faithfully,
TOM BAISTOW 25 The Cherries, Pelts Wood, Kent
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