Sin, —The admirable letter in your issue of August 29th
surely voices the feelings of large numbers of those who, like myself, are profoundly disquieted by the state of affairs facing us at this moment. As Mr. Ian Simpson says, " the need sticking out Everest-high is to strengthen the anti-Socialist vote " ; it is the paramount duty of the Liberal and Conservative Parties to make a common front against their party opponents. Unless this is done and done quickly, is it not also " sticking out Everest- high " that something even more oppressive may follow the present Government should it again be returned to power, as seems certain if there is a repetition of bigoted three-party contests? It may mean sacrifices of traditional principles by one or both parties, but these sacrifices must be made if so much that is so highly valued by so many in the British way of life is not to be irretrievably lost. The opportunity for a fusion (either temporary or permanent) of the two parties is within grasp, but once the next election has taken place it is probable that that opportunity will have gone for ever. A great responsibility thus rests on both parties if they fail to close their ranks and so avoid the split votes which let in so many Labour candidates at the last election.
I suggest that every Liberal and Conservative elector should forthwith
make it a personal matter to write to his or her Member of Parliament strongly urging that, before it is too late, something definite should be done to bring about at least a temporary fusion of the Liberal and Conservative Parties and so ensure a straight fight in every constituency at the next election. No one should think that his individual efforts are useless, for it is of the utmost importance that the subject should be given the widest possible publicity in order to impress the party leaders with the strength of the feelings held by the rank and file.—Yours
faithfully, G. V. S. Boom. 29 Ravelston Gardens, Edinburgh, 14.
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