There are a number of rich young men whose claim
to a seat rests primarily and sometimes entirely on the distinction of their fathers; some of these seats are frankly hereditary. Retired men from the fighting, diplomatic and colonial services, successful business men and landowners, form another sub- stantial group. The average age of trade unionists is high; their election is dependent on the funds which the national executives of the various unions place at the disposal of a certain number of selected candidates. There is a conspicuous absence of men from the executive class, farmers or managing directors, of men of high technical ability, and younger men from the professions. Nor has the representation of women done anything so far to alter this balance. The money factor remains all-important, and tends to exclude from Parliament the ablest men and women of the day.
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