Mr. Churchill again led the rebels on the Betting Bill
and enjoyed himself enormously. He seemed to. be back in spirit again to the early years of the century, when, as the new recruit and " enfant terrible " of a resurgent Liberal Party, he used to bait and badger the Conservative Government night after night until they writhed in impotent anger. He was aided on Monday night by the ineffectiveness of the Home Secretary. Sir John Gilmour is primarily a stone- wailer. When the Government intend to stand firm and refuse to be " drawn " on some dangerous con- troversy, there is. no man who can do it better than Sir John. But something more than stubbornness is needed to pilot a highly contentious measure through a committee in which the main opponents come from the Government side of the House. What is required is good-humour and persuasiveness and, if these fail, the power of giving taunt for taunt. Sir John seemed to be armed with little more than his departmental brief..
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