25 OCTOBER 1946, Page 5

The resignation of Mr. T. L. Horabir. from the Liberal

Party in the House of Commons has the result of reducing the membership of that select body by over 8 per cent It now ha ir members in- stead of 12 (or, according to some reckoning, to instead of it). But the change is more apparent than real. The Member for N. Cornwall is now, it appears, to be known as an Independent Liberal ; but he has always been restive in harness, and it is hard to see how he ..an be more independent than he was already. Actually the category " Independent Liberal " is not an innovation. Major Gwilym Lloyd George, I believe, ranks as one. But it is a strange umbrella that can shelter him and Mr. Horabin.