23 OCTOBER 1964, Page 14

COLOUR AND THE ELECTION

SIR,—When I wrote a letter on colour and the election to the Spectator in September, I did not anticipate that after the election the Smethwick electors would be taken to task by Mr. Harold Wilson, the Prime Minister, who said it was a dis- grace to British democracy, Mr. Len Williams, the Labour General Secretary, who called it a terrible blow to the reputation of Britain throughout the world, and Mr. Ray Gunter, Minister of Labour, who described it as a mark of shame on the Tory Party.

It is characteristic of the Labour Party to tell other people what to do,. and to be rude if their advice is ignored. Mr. Aneurin Bevan's description of the Tory Party. as vermin is a fair example. The Labour Party has announced its intention of bring- ing the law up to date. It is not inconceivable that it might introduce penalties for improper voting. Who do these would-be dictators think they are? Mr. Wilson may say the Smethwick result is disgrace- ful. In the opinion of the town voters, it was a victory for sanity. Other people have lost elections Without squealing. Cannot the Smethwick candidate