Such quips and criticisms are little more than surface ripples
upon a deeper tide of uneasiness. People are asking themselves whether in fact there are no new cards in the pack and whether this game of musical chairs must continue indefinitely. It is this problem which I propose to examine. It is foolish to contend that there exists no alternative to the present Cabinet. The two Opposition parties can provide men of vigour and experience. Mr. Attlee, Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Hugh Dalton, Mr. Grenfell, Sir Archibald Sinclair, Mr. Noel Baker, and above all Mr. A. V. Alexander, would be assets in any Ministry. I rejoice myself that at the present stage of the war no such coalition has been attempted. On the one hand, it is essential that the leaders of the Socialist and Liberal parties should remain free to direct and educate opinion among their followers. Seldom has Left-wing opinion been so unorganised or so emotional. On the other hand, we have not yet reached the stage of the war at which the country really requires a second wind. * * * *
Previous page
