The result of the polling in the North Leeds election,
declared on Tuesday night, was as follows :—Mr. Rowland Barran (L.), 7,539; Sir Arthur Lawson (C.), 6,781; Liberal majority, 758. This means the loss of a seat to the Unionists. At the election of 1895 the Unionists had a majority of 1,508 votes, and in 1900 of 2,517. In other words, a Unionist majority of 2,517 has been converted into a Home-rule majority of 758. It would be useless to pretend that this is not a very severe blow to the Government. The Unionist defeat is variously attributed to the Corn-tax and the Educa- tion Bill; but though the excitement in regard to these measures had doubtless some effect, we should be inclined to attribute far more importance to the swing of the pendulum. People think that the present Ministry have been in a long time and that a change would be pleasant, especially as they have come to believe that all risk of Home-rule is past. We wish we could feel absolutely sure that they are right in this respect, but, at any rate, that is the popular belief. It is practically impossible to get "the man in the street" to take Home-rule seriously. His mind simply does not bite on the question. He not only does not believe in it now, but doubts if anything so foolish could ever have Men a real danger. That Liberal politicians like Mr. Morley. and Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman still pay homage to the idea is regarded as a mere personal peculiarity,—like a partiality for golf or a dislike of motor-cars.
