Parliamentary Notes Our Parliamentary Correspondent writes : That the Labour
Party executive should have thought it necessary to pronounce still another veto on collaboration with outside organisations is significant. It is clear that this ukase is intended to frustrate any move towards a closer understanding with the Liberals. Until very recently such a precaution would have been entirely unnecessary. The majority of active Socialist propagandists regarded Liberalism (spelt with a large L) with frank hostility. From 1918 onwards they had insisted that there was no essential difference between Liberals and Conservatives. But in the last two years, although they may not often say so in public, the attitude of a large number of Labour supporters has changed. For the time being at any rate the nationalisation of industry has ceased to be an objective of first importance. Foreign affairs now completely overshadow domestic issues and on foreign policy the two Opposition parties are substantially agreed. Furthermore, the most urgent problems of the day are not so much economic as constitutional. How to defend freedom and democracy against triumphant Fascism abroad and disguised Fascism at home is the question which is uppermost in the minds of a great many politicians of the " Left." In other words, events are compelling the Socialists to fight a Liberal battle. It is not surprising that many of them feel disinclined to shoot down the official custodians of the ark which they themselves are endeavouring to protect.
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