Members fresh from their constituencies where in every case the
most formidable Socialist quarters were the most gaily decorated were genuinely astonished to hear the grave Labour statements that masses of the people were feeling uncomfortable about the ceremonial splendour and pageantry associated with the Crown. In what strange world of their own do these Labour Members live that they are so oblivious to the mentality and outlook of ordinary men and women ? It is undeniable that ninety per cent. of the people of the country love the grandeurs of the Court and would not have them in any way reduced. It is this passion of the Labour Party to represent on all occasions an insignificant Left Wing intelligentsia that is continuously retarding their progress to power. Happily for them their speeches so pleased Mr. Maxton that he did not press the I.L.P. amendments, and a debate which was bringing nothing but discredit to the official Opposition petered out before the dinner hour. It cannot be Said, however, that in the division lobby the Government supporters covered themselves with glory on the Labour amendment. They mustered fewer than two hundred, if allow- ance is made for the independent Liberals who voted with them, out of three hundred and seventy which on the General Election figures could have taken part in the division. This slackness in attendance on an issue of such importance may Well have been puzzling to foreign observers. It seems strange that it was apparently thought unnecessary to issue a three-line Whip for the occasion.
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