We are sure that the Labour Party has done itself
noth- ing but harm by its policy of obstruction and its deliberate attempt to bring the House of Commons into disrepute. These tactics will not be easily forgotten, and will be a strong point against Labour in the country. The Labour Party had gained considerably in public estimation by the belief that its members were now rational persons— men who wanted to proceed by argument and Constitu- tional means. So long as this attitude was maintained many people who did not entirely agree with their views thought that they should be given a chance to show whether they could better the position of the working man. But the past week has done a good deal to obliter- ate that feeling. Englishmen are extremely indulgent towards political experiment, but they hate anarchy, and they got a foretaste of it on Tuesday and Wednesday. Even on a narrower ground the Labour Party has done itself much harm. If Labour ever comes into power it will be sure to find its recent example followed by those who are opposed to Labour in the House and in the country. We do not want Fascism, but Constitutional- ism. The Labour people, if they are wise, will remember that the tyranny of Fascism is the natural and indeed inevitable reaction to the tyranny of anarchy.
