" POLITICAL VAMPIRISM."
ITo THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—Though differing from you completely in politics, I have always admired the independence and honesty of the Spec- tator. It maintains—and I am writing this as a strong political opponent—the best traditions of the British Press. There is much in the article that appears under the title of "Political Vampirism " in the issue of May 24th with which, from my political standpoint, I heartily disagree. I send you this brief letter to say how heartily I agree with your out- spoken and courageous protest against the immorality of Mr. Lloyd George's political life. He does not know the meaning of the word "loyalty." As you say, " He played almost openly for his own hand." He has never played for anything else. That is what he is playing for now. "He was quite determined that whoever else was put in the cart he would not be there." That is the ethical rule of his life. He M playing exactly the same game with the Unionist Party that
he played with the Liberal Party. What this country needs more than anything else at present is leaders of parties, such as President Wilson and President Roosevelt showed themselves to be in America, men who will fearlessly and ruthlessly clear out the degradation which has swept in a foul tide over our once-clean politics. Since Walpole's time English political life has never been at so low a level as it is to-day. There are' titles and offices for the obsequious aristo- crat, contracts for the "profiteer," ribbons and Orders in floods of ten thousands for tho middle-class " climber," money doles for a million unemployed. It is the story of the Roman Empire in its decadence over again. However other- Wise undesirable, it may be necessary, in order to save the country and the Empire. to form a new Coalition of all men of all parties who have clean hands and want clean politics— for as there are degraded men in all parties, so there are clean men in all parties—and purify the political Augean stable in which we are living to-day, as Presidents Wilson and Roosevelt cleansed American politics.—i am, Sir, ffc.,
A LEFT-WINO LIBERAL.
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