The Liberal Assembly
The debates at the Assembly of the Liberal Party were spirited and full of confidence, and have helped to replace the Party on the political map. Speakers had no strikingly new political programmes to put before the country, but to have attempted that would have been artificial. What was more important was that they should show the direction of progress they desired to follow, and in what spirit. They made it clear that they will not be content with halting or half-hearted measures for social security, full production, or housing, limited by excessive regard for vested interests ; and, on the other hand, that they are not tied by obligations to academic doctrines of Socialism—in their view there is a place for both private and State enterprise in productive industry. Liberalism, according to Lady Violet Bonham Carter, is not a static, invariable formula, but a dynamic concept whose content must change with the times. It is in a strong position in this respect, that when Liberals were last in power they carried through against violent opposition the foundation of just those reforms which are most urgently called for today ; their record of 'deeds makes a case for their promises, even when their promises, as in the matter of housing, seem to go beyond the attainable. The critical will probably note that dash of Quixotism which always 'entered into the Liberal make-up, as when the Assembly all too lightly offered to pick a quarrel with Spain if it does not get rid of Franco. But such hasty gestures, indicative of an impulsive mood, will not weigh much in the balance against the more considered policy adopted by the Assembly on more important matters.
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