The more advanced Radicals in the House have decided New
Consols (2!) were on Friday, 1111.
upon the extreme step of forming a separate group. The Committee of Radical and Labour Members has resigned, and a new Committee will be formed into which Moderates will not be admitted, and which will act "independently," with doubtless separate leaders and Whips. That is a severe blow to the unity of the Liberal party, and, we suspect, to the electoral power of the extreme Radicals, who are only tolerated by part of their electors because they think that they will stimulate the Whigs while working with them. England is not Radical, but Left Centre even in Liberal cycles. Of course, whenever a strong leader appears he will abolish these divisions, and compel the unbroken party to come to heel under penalty of dismissal by the constituencies, but the split will enormously increase the difficulties of leading in Opposition. Sir William Harcourt will have to stamp out rebellion, or yield to it, once a month.
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