[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR, — It is reasonable to
argue that the parties supporting the National Government owe their continuing majority to fear of Socialism, the only voting alternative offered them.
It is equally reasonable to argue that ever since Mussolini flouted the League, and particularly since the exposure of the Hoare-Laval plan, the majority of electors have been increas- ingly dissatisfied with the National Government's handling of foreign affairs.
Many competent observers believe that if the alternative to the National Government were not Socialism—an experi- ment for which the majority of small British capitalists with votes are not ready—the National Government would long ago have disappeared.
If " Mass Observation " were to conduct an investigation into the political views of rank and file Conservative voters, it would surely be found that they were neither "Die-hards " nor " Imperialists," but that while rejecting Socialism and fearing Labour as a class Party, they favoured a " Progressive " social policy at home and opposition to the enemies of Freedom abroad.
What, then, is the average Conservative today if not a Liberal—opposed to the extremes of both Right and Left? Is this or is this not the opportunity of the historic Liberal Party?
Some years ago it became the fashion to sneer at Liberalism as an extinct force with no function to fulfil in a world divided between Capitalism and Socialism. Surely this was to forget the long years that both Whigs and Tories have spent in the wilderness at various periods of their history?
Of course, Liberal votes at a General Election would let either Socialism or Conservatism in, unless three factors combine to liberate Liberalism: 1. No new movement can be launched without leaders. The considerable section of obvious Liberals among the three Parties of National Government M.P.s must shake off their lethargy and decide whether they and the official Liberal leaders cannot create the strong nucleus of a reborn Liberal Party to fight the next election.
2. The Liberal Party leaders must take new heart and realise that they have a chance which is never likely to recur.
3. No new movement can be launched without the support of masses of individuals ; consequently, the individual, hitherto fatalistically acquiescent in his support of the National Government, must also take new heart and realise that he has all the recognised methods of constitutional agitation to his hand—write to his M.P., get into touch with his local National Government and his local Liberal organisations, &c.
I have lived out of England since 1928, so that the argu- ments advanced above may be naively out of touch with reality for all I know ; but I hope that they may provoke those better informed to expose my fallacies, and in so doing to throw light on an important matter. What hopes are there for the mass of sober citizens who have no use for totalitarianism, whether of the Right or Left?—Yours
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