It is strange that this increased submissiveness should have been
so manifest during the last six or seven weeks. The existence of an enormous Government majority might have been expected to loosen rather than draw tighter the bonds of party discipline. The reason, it may be surmised, is to be found in the constituencies. The number of voters is now so great that the personal following which a member is able to build up represents, as a rule, only a small proportion. The radio, the national Press, and the illustrated weeklies have enormously added to the power of national leaders, and particularly of Ministers of the Crown, to appeal directly to the electorate over the heads of their Parliamentary representatives. The spotlight of modern publicity is focussed upon the Central figures, and the minor actors are cast more than ever before into the shadows. It is noteworthy that even some of the more eminent Conservative critics of Munich have found it necessary to compromise with their local Associations and to acquiesce in resolutions that express belief in the Member's integrity but confidence in Mr. Chamberlain.
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