23 JANUARY 1971, Page 7

Post-election Wilson

There has been an excessive amount of Wilson-knocking lately, all of it, naturally, emanating from within his party. Since he is the best leader they have got, or are likely to have, it follows that the knocking comes from lesser men. From a Tory point of view, I'd have thought that any replacement of Harold Wilson would be a great boon; and from a Labour viewpoint a great misfortune. I go along with the Sunday Express's Crossbencher insofar as he suggests the unlikelihood of James Callaghan, Roy Jenkins or Denis Healey succeeding him, although if the proverbial bus turned up my money would be on Jim Callaghan. But I trust CrosSbencher jokes when he argues that Harold Wilson's own choice as his successor when, eventually and a long time off, he should retire, is Anthony Wedgwood Benn. There is a lack of humour and of wit, a moral earnestness,, a most wearying tiresomeness, about Wedgie Benn that in- duces me to think that Harold Wilson would never wish him upon us. In any event, it seems unlikely that Wilson can have forgiven Benn for having done. more than any other Labour politician towards losing Labour the election and Harold Wilson his occupancy of No 10.