It is remarkable how many back-benchers can rise to a
big opportunity. In moving and seconding the humble Address Captain Balfour and Mr. Mabane fully maintained the high standard which has become a tradition on these occasions. Each paid the usual compliments to his consti- tuents and the House listened in great good humour to the mover's dissertation on the political importance of the Isle of Thanet and the seconder's ringing declaration that " wherever there are well-dressed men there is Huddersfield cloth." Mr. Attlee gave the House a brief summary of the speeches which his followers would deliver during the ensuing week. Sir John Simon made great play with passages from a recent article by Mr. Mander on the foreign policy that would be adopted by " A National Government of the Left." But he has himself made so many speeches on the desirability of co-operation in politics that he is scarcely in a strong position to attack those of his opponents who also advocate an alliance of parties. Sir Archibald Sinclair revealed himself, not for the first time, as a master of Shakespearian quotation. And Mr. Maxton was in his best form in dealing with the members for the City of London, who had been exercising their traditional privilege of sitting on the Treasury Bench on the first day of the session.
Previous page
