6 JULY 1912, Page 11

At the by-election in the Ilkeston Division of Derbyshire on

Monday Colonel Seely was returned by a majority of 1,211. The figures were Colonel Seely (L.), 9,049; Mr. Marshall Freeman (II.), 7,838. This was a fall in the Liberal majority of 2,833. It is impossible not to regard this as a blow to the Government, especially when one remembers that it is usual to treat a newly appointed Minister who seeks re-election with considerable favour. Colonel Seely dwelt chiefly during the campaign on Home Rule, Welsh Disestablishment, and Elec- toral Reform. He said little of the new Liberal land policy. But we venture to predict that even that policy is now too late. When a Government is distinctly losing ground even the most delectable bribes will not save it.