THE VOICE OF LABOUR
It is no exaggeration to say that this document makes frightening reading. There is scarcely a page in it which does not include a suggestion for some new interference with individual liberty and freedom of choice. Despite the fact that each one of the eight resolutions on the control of nationalised industries expresses dis- satisfaction in one form or another, a most fantastic list of new nationalisation schemes is suggested under the heading " General Election Programme." The wilder proposals will no doubt be weeded out or dismissed as unrepresentative. Such are the one from North Croydon demanding that building workers' representatives should scrutinise all building licences issued, the one from North Angus recommending equal purchasing power for all workers, or the one...from Ruislip which recommends a witch-hunt for saboteurs in the nationalised airways—to pick three at random. But there is a strict limit to the argument that the party executive does not agree with its supporters. And, as the past record shows, there is a long- term tendency for the more desperate suggestions to move from the lunatic fringe towards the centre and to become in due course official Labour Party policy arid even the law of the land. Mr. Morrison is going to have as much difficulty in explaining away this document as in teaching his followers the rudiments of economics and of political tolerance. As for the wavering middle voter, this authentic series of pronouncements from the Labour rank and file should bring his wavering to a sudden stop.
