* * * * .
, It is the fashion in Government circles to ridicule the influence of this type of man, but it is interesting to note that. the Government themselves have been at pains to appear to have open minds on Mr. Lloyd George's pro- gramme. Indeed Cabinet Ministers have spoken in the country with such a unanimity of eulogium on Mr. Lloyd George's past services and future usefulness that it would appear to be concerted. The inclusion of Mr. Lloyd George in a reconstructed National Government is now definitely on the map. The great obstacle is Mr. Neville Chamberlain, who almost alone of his Con- servative colleagues has never overcome the personal antipathy to Mr. Lloyd George engendered in the post-War coalition days. But even he was very gentle in his criticisms, a fact which Mr. Lloyd George was quick to seize upon in his Pwllheli speech as a favourable sign. One factor that would make Mr. Lloyd George look with greater favour upon any offer from the National Govern- ment is his sudden estrangement from the Labour Party. It is clear for the moment that the Labour Party will have none of the New Deal. They are criticizing it in words that sound very strange and tactically foolish when it is remembered what powerful support he has been giving to their by-election candidates.
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