4 OCTOBER 1930, Page 21

THE PARTY SYSTEM

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

Stn,—Unfortunately for Mrs. Willianason's ideal of parliamen- tary representation, it has failed wherever it has been attempted, and our parliamentary system is the envy of Continental nations. Germany has some 75 parties or groups —that gives plenty of choice for an independent elector—but finds it almost impossible to form a Government. Italy had rather more, but the result was such chaos that parliamentary government was abolished. Spain had a very similar experi- ence. Our parliamentary system has many defects, but Mrs. Williamson's ideal system would make matters very much