The Week in Parliament Our Parliamentary Correspondent writes : I
under- stand that the Cabinet has now definitely decided on reconstruction. It is only a question whether it will take place immediately after the Jubilee or, as is more likely, be delayed until the autumn. The pressure on Mr. Ramsay MacDonald from the supporters of the 'Government to resign the Premiership has increased to such an extent in the last few weeks as to make it impossible any longer to resist it. An additional reason for resignation is his health. At the beginning of this year he seemed to have recovered something of his old vigour, but his recent illness has set him back again and he looks a really sick man. It seems clear that Mr. Baldwin will take his place. His reluctance to assume the burdens of the Premiership is very genuine. He much prefers his present position of the power behind a titular throne. But he has always felt and with some reason that he can save the National Government and that no one else can. The only alternative to Mr. Baldwin is Mr. Neville Chamberlain. Mr. Chamberlain's position with the rank and file of the Conservative Party is becoming increasingly strong, but he is far too rigid and unimaginative a figure ever to have any attraction to the non-Conservative voter. The overwhelming opinion of the Cabinet is in favour of the Government making an all-Party appeal at the election. The present idea indeed is that Mr. Ramsay MacDonald should be urged to remain in the Cabinet in some position like the Lord Presidency of the Council, where he would still have power without the worries of departmental responsi- bility.
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