Tory Tract
Coming This Way ? By Derek Walker-Smith. (Sampson Low. 7s. 6d.)
THE Opposition has two formidable myths to overcome before it is successful in wooing the British electorate. The first myth is that Socialism is synonymous with efficiency, and the second is that a Conservative victory at the polls would mean a return to the political climate of the 'thirties. The Labour Government has done a good deal of spade-work to clear away the first myth, but the second looms almost as large as ever, in spite of the efforts of publicists such as Mr.' Walker-Smith to kill it. This short tract for the times is one of a number which have been published since 1945 by young Tories, who have a faith at least as sincere as, and a prose style considerably more lucid than, the dreary succession of left-wing pamphleteers who flooded the market in the years leading up to the war.
Yet somehow this sensible little book misses fire. It is persuasive, spiring. As nourishment for the Con- ill do very well indeed, but it is not the indifferent. That, admittedly, is not t addressed to Marxists or near-Marxists. er-Smith regretfully admits, a political as grown used to rather rumbustious sy to prove that the messianic Socialism n the last twenty years was based on a Mr. Walker-Smith reargues the case skill—but when this hope is removed, 'c dream is not readily abandoned, and search for it in one direction are likely -o'-the-wisp. Mr. Walker-Smith has a litics of Plenty,", and in the idea of solution to his search for a constructive er the answer satisfies the multitudes or o follow an intelligent guide like Mr.
chatty, tolerant, but not i servative rank-and-file it much use as a stimulant to its primary purpose ; it is tl But this being, as Mr. W. age, the reading public political argument. It is which became fashionable lot of false argunients against it with considera what is left ? The messi people disappointed in the to set off atter another w good chapter on " The " plenty " is the germ of a answer to Socialism. Whe not, they triould do well Walker-Smith in his scare
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EDWARD HODGKIN.
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