It is worth noting that at last week's municipal elections
194 Communists stood and 194 Communists were defeated—a fact which The Daily Worker finds it rather difficult to explain away. This is in line with the general ebb of the Communist tide in most countries in Europe, but it is well to be cautious in drawing deductions from it. Communists have other ways of working than by standing for public office ; to secure key positions in trade unions, both nationally and locally, often suits their purposes better, and there are real dangers to national stability there. Whatever Mr. Arthur Homer's personal virtues may be, no one can feel satisfied that the most important trade union post in the country—that of secretary of the National Union of Mineworkers—should be held by an ardent Com- munist. Unfortunately, the average trade union member takes little interest in the election of officials, and a small minority who know what they want can generally get what they want.
* * * *
Previous page
