A Spectator's Notebook
I DREW attention a fortnight ago to the odd collection of indi- viduals whom the News Chronicle invited to contribute to its election series, 'Off the Party Line.' Mr. Kingsley Martin and Mr. Dingle Foot performed as expected. I have comments to make only on the other three. I was glad to see that Miss Marghanita Laski, by announcing her intention to vote Liberal, was able to expose my unwitting libel of her—that she boasted her own brand of Socialism. I was sorry to see that Mr. Malcolm Muggeridge made the mistake of assuming that what is enter- taining in conversation will also be entertaining in print. Every- one who knows him enjoys Mr. Muggeridge's company when he is playing the role of the licensed jester of politics. But when most ordinary people believe that it really does matter which Party gets into power, it is rather tedious of Mr. Muggeridge to use up 2,000 words explaining that it is all 'beneath him. But, above all. I am intrigued to know why Mr. Priestley's second article never appeared. The News Chronicle was certainly expecting it. It is a tragic thought that Mr. Priestley is some- where between John 0' Groats and the Isle of Wight carrying about with him the article which would have told all other overtaxed Good Companions how to vote.
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