The jeopardy of false principle
If the Prime Minister should press on with the application regardless, and endeavour to force through Parliament before the summer recess some kind of Declaration of Intent, then in all probability he will not only split the Tory party but destroy himself. Given, as every calculating politician must assume, a Labour party led by Harold Wilson virtu- ally unanimously opposed to British entry, a split Tory party also enables Wilson to re-
gain power. To permit Labour to slip back in again, on an issue of great popular appeal, and on grounds of very dubious principle, is not the action of an ambitious and skilled politician. Should Mr Heath's own calcula- tions be different, or should he decide to stand on principle, risk office and jeopardise the unity of the party, then it can only be a matter of time before Mr Enoch Powell is regarded generally as his obvious successor to the leadership of the party.
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