The case for a referendum
Sir : Surely your contributor Mr Skidelsky (9 May) is guilty of a serious lapse in assuming that we have no machinery or intent of the much-abused politicians here, to obtain up-to- date mandates for any new controversial policy, eyeing with envy the French referen- dum as being a system to achieve that result? Mr Baldwin in 1923 dissolved, although the Conservatives had an ample majority in the election of the previous year, because he felt that that mandate was not sufficient to cover his proposed introduction of tariff reform. He was right, for the country rejected it then, although accepting it afterwards. Similarly, Mr Asquith dissolved twice in 1910. the first to obtain a mandate for Lords reform and the Budget, and the second to authorise Home Rule and Welsh Disestablishment.
W. H. F. Barklam Uplands, 14 Hollybush Road, Penylan, Cardiff
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