POLITICS AND THE PUBLIC
Sia,—As an old Gladstonian Liberal, may I express the great pleasure I have had in reading Miss Jennie Lee's article "Politics and the Public "?
I am, it seems, part of a historical hang-over, but I feel very strongly that it is from Gladstonian Liberalism that we need to start weaving the web of the new world we all desire to see. Miss Lee calls for candour in our public men, and that is a constitutional call. Mx Baldwin told us he concealed his real mind for fear of losing an election. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, when asked to qualify the expression of his opinions at the time of the Boer War, declined to do so on the ground that it was his duty to express his opinions and leave the country to approve or reject them ; and Sir Henry's attitude was the correct one. Under the leadership of Mr. Gladstone the intimidation of the Squire was got rid of. May I ask if Eccleston Square has always been free from the suspicion of exercising political pressure? Burke laid it down that a Member of
Parliament is not a delegate, and Mr. Gladstone held that the House of
Commons could not function as long as a solid body of Irish Members, acting under strict party orders, regardless of the general interest, sat in it. Can the Labour Party claim to be observers of the liberal constitu- tional doctrines of these great statesmen? Miss Lee discusses the reaction
of the coal-owners had it been decided contrary to their views to nationalise the mines, and she is of opinion that it would probably have been a patriotic acceptance. Now there have been many calls to the Govern- ment to declare a wages policy. Why has the Government never put one forward ? Because, I take it, they were afraid of the effect on Labour, whose wishes might not have been met thereby. But surely this matter should have been thrashed out ; the country should have before it various proposals and indications of what reactions to them might be expected. This fundamental matter has never peen frankly discussed and a state of affairs has existed and exists which is very unsatisfactory. A condition precedent, however, to such discussion is that there should be courage to express opinion and willingness to hsten to it. give it fair con- sideration, and make the best of what may be decided on.- There are many able men and women who believe that there is no other way of carrying on than by buying and selling at a profit, in a society which has many differences of fortune; that, as the Church Catechism says. we must all do our duty in our station. But they are accused of wishing the exploita- tion of the poor and told that nationalisation is inevitable. I suggest that the accusation be withdrawn and individualism—in a form suited to e times—be given a chance. In his review of Dr Ernest Barker's book, Reflections on Government, Mr. E. L. Woodward in Jour issue of July in* says Dr. Barker's whole argument rests on a clear understanding of the moral basis of political society as a cure for the intellectual confu- sion of present-day politics. Who recognised this as clearly and taught it s eloquently and boldly as the able administrator Gladstone ?—Your Obedient servant, J. MEWBU1RN LEVIEN.
The Athenaeum, Pall Mall, S.W. r.
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