The chief concern of the Socialists will undoubtedly be to
introduce the domestic reforms which they have persistently demanded. The more Radical members of the Centre will no doubt march with them part of the way but not the whole way. But the Socialists have reason to be in very good heart as they have made notable headway even in constituencies where they did not win seats. It is obvious that if they combined with the Communists they would compose the most powerful Labour Party yet known in politics, but there are no immediate signs that the differences of these two wings of Labour will be reconciled. After all, the Communists take their orders from the Third International and German Socialists have always had a very distinct national consciousness and they bitterly resent the attacks of Moscow on the Second International. No unprecedented consolidation of the Left is therefore to be expected. The middle parties in the new Coalition will have to work with the Socialists (who will determine the bias of the Government) instead of, as in the last Government, with the Nationalists, who will not be repre- sented in the Government at all.
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