19 JUNE 1920, Page 2

The Independent Liberals have at last won a by-election. Mr.

Wintringhana was returned for Louth on Wednesday, defeating the Coalition Unionist, Mr. Christopher Turner, by 2,505 votes. At the General Election the late Unionist Member had a majority of 1,496 over another Independent Liberal, on a slightly smaller pelt. We do not know why Lincolnshire should show more favour to Mr. AsqUith'e little 'section than other parts of the country. But the strengthening of the Liberal Opposition is by no means to be regretted. The Government have suffered greatly from the lack of vigorous and consistent criticism in the House of Commons. The Independent Liberals, though few in numbers, have not exerted themselves to the full extent. Their abstention from the Home Rule debates, for example, was a mistake.