The Coalition Argumeni
SIR.—There are considerable murmurings of a coalition, but Janus has Made a very good point when he asks: "Would Cptain Thorneycroft,
I wonder, welcome the idea so stropgly if the Conservatives were returned with a working majority?" If those who Cry "coalition" will each ask themselves this question, I should say that there would be -ffiany second- thoughts on the matter.
Giving my opinion as a rank and file member of the Labour Party, I say that coalition now is not an absolute requirement for the Government of this country to function properly. The Prime Minister enjoys the fullest confidence of all his Parliamentary colleagues, and his prestige is high. You can hardly compare this Parliament with the one in session in 1940, when there was an evident cleavage in the ranks of the supporters of the Conservative Government. This cleavage precipitated the forma- tion of a Coalition Government, in the face of the grave events confront- ing the nation. There was no alternative to coalition except a General Election, and it was practically impossible to hold one then.
The position is rather different now. The Prime 'Minister has the unqualified support of his colleagues ; the Government has a programme
which it has the perfect right to implement fully and the Labour Party is strong throughout the country, for it has the backing of the industrial might of the nation. And, although there arc grave problems confronting the country, these very problems call for more responsible action on the part of those persons who see nothing else but endless fun in challenging the Government to a division, and praying for it to fall. And these same persons cry "coalition" in the "national" interest. Whose "coalition," and what " national " interest?-1 am, Sir, your faithfully, /6 Woodland Hill, Upper Norwood, S.E.19. D. F. BAKER LACE.
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