The absurd stir raised by the Sunday Express, followed by
the Daily Express on Monday, about Mr. Bevan's 'absence from last Saturday's meeting of the Cabinet is significant not for any inherent importance attaching to the articles in question (the fact appears to be simply that Mr. Bevan was unwell) but as evidence of a general disposition—not necessarily part of any concerted plan—to assail the Minister of Health from different quarters. The Daily Mail made a minor contribution on Tuesday, and one or two other papers did their bit. Mr. Bevan has, of course, been the main target for Opposition speakers for years past, and his own party seem now to be satisfied that he lost them a lot of votes at the election. His prediction that "the General Election will see the end of the Tory Party as we know it now" was quoted in "Election Notes" in this journal last week. It was made six days before the polling.
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