The polling at Huddersfield, which took place on Wednes- day,
has resulted in the return of Mr. Sherwell, the Liberal candidate, by a majority of 340 over the Labour candidate, and of 918 over the Unionist. Last January the majority over Labour was 489, and over Unionism 1911. The total poll, however, has decreased by nearly 500 votes. The election is one which gives no great satisfaction to any party. The Government can hardly claim it as an indication that their education policy is regarded with enthusiasm. On the other hand, the Opposition cannot cite it as showing that a revulsion of feeling has already taken place owing to the Education Bill. The Labour people are about where they were, or, at any rate, no better. The female suffragists can certainly get no consolation from the figures. They did their best to induce their friends in no case to vote for the Liberal, yet the Liberal gets in without his poll showing any great defections. On general grounds we are glad that Mr. Sherwell should enter the House, for his influence will be a useful one when the Licensing Bill is introduced. Mr. Sherwell is not one of the fanatical Temperance reformers, and he has done very useful work in reminding the country how profligate, from the fiscal point of view, is our plan of granting a most lucrative monopoly in the shape of licenses, and not demanding any- thing approaching an adequate consideration for that grant.
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