Corridors . . .
PUZZLE, LIKE MOST of those interested in politics, values the pocket diary published by Conservative Central Office. But in the entry under France we are told that the length of the French legislative term is "Appointed by President." It is no such thing. While the President can call an early general election he, like a British Prime Minister, is compelled to send his Government to the country at least once every five years. Surely Ted is not dreaming of a situation in which he can decide how often we have elections in this country?
WHY DID THE PRIME MINISTER GO to Canada for the Lester Pearson funeral, rather than stay in this country for the Euro-fanfare, especially when. after all, he despised the late Prime Minister of Canada? Two reasons. The first is the admirable relationship he has struck up with Pierre Trudeau (which has greatly angered the Canadian Conservative Party, which so nearly threw swinging Pierre out at the last general election). Ted reckons that he and Pierre will run the next Commonwealth Prime Ministers' conference, and that the Canadians will drop what he thinks has been their silly liberal line on Rhodes0. The second reason is that he thinks the fanfare is a bore, and that the only interesting thing about it is the major speech he made at the big banquet explaining how he intends to bash the Europeans.
THERE IS a persistent rumour that Sir Alec Douglas-Home is at last on the verge of retirement, and will be replaced by Lord Carrington. Carrington naturally would expect to be replaced at Defence by — wait for it — Mr Francis Pym (formerly of the 9th Lancers, dispatches and MC). That explains why Pym did not become a member of the Cabinet at the last reshuffle: it is a better explanation than the onevfered at the time — that Pym
felt a Chief Whip Should soldier on for a full parliamentary term.
'Tom Puzzle
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