SIR,—The discontent and frustration which un- doubtedly exists among many
younger people today is not, as Anthony Crosland believes, primarily be- cause of the prevailing 'smug, lethargic conservatism': self-satisfied, materialistic attitudes are not the pre- rogative of the Right, anyway. Far more is this malaise due to the prolonged inability of the Left to provide an adequate Opposition, even to such Governments as the last two. We have, consequently, to put up with a Conservative Party which does not seem to know what it wants to do after its recent victory, still less what it ought; a Labour Party which presents a ludicroutly unedifying fraternal spectacle and is visibly dying of narcissism, utterly absorbed in the futile contemplation of its own navel; and a Liberal Party which, despite Mr. Grimond's virtually single-handed efforts to give it a new look, remains dated, faded and reeking of moth- balls.
It is our present national misfortune to be faced with a seemingly perpetuated Hobson's choice be- tween social reaction and economic foolishness. Most British people simply are not interested in the pure milk of Socialism or of Free Trade : they prefer an economy that is pragmatic if not theoretically perfect. Until the politicians of the Left comprehend this and begin to concentrate their energies in the spheres where their real strength should lie—in har-
THE SPECTATOR, FEBRUARY I9, essing all our latent national idealism and action Into the promotion of a greater degree of human freedom, justice and tolerance in our own society and throughout the world—we shall not attain that dynamic new Radicalism which must be the ultimate alternative to the Conservative oligarchy which now threatens us.--yours faithfully, 27 Belsize Avenue, NW3 A. E. G. WRIGHT
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