Gloomy Britain

COMMONWEALTH

(British Commonwealth of Nations)

"I appeal to my fellow-countrymen and women to give me their support today in the fight against unemployment. I ask this for their own sake and for the sake of the rising generations.

(Signed) "STANLEY BALDWIN."

This, the last election manifesto of Premier Baldwin, closed what has been termed "the hardest fought political campaign in the history of England."

Two days later a million people were said to have assembled in the streets of London to await the outcome of the elections. Elaborate preparations were made to give the results, which were expected at 9:45 p. m. Exactly at 9:30 a thick blanket of London fog settled down and obscured everything.; Theatres, cinemas and "loud speakers". (English for amplifiers) gave out the final results:

Conservative Party 262

Labor Party 191

Liberal Party 152

Independents 10

Total 615

J. L. Garvin, editor of The Spectator, London Sunday journal, summed the election up:

There was no great increase in the national poll. Last year some 14,040,000 electors voted; this year about 14,186,000. Then Mr. Bonar Law polled in round figures about 5,300,000 Unionist votes; now Mr. Baldwin has polled practically the same 5,360,000. With regard to seats, the turn of luck was with the Unionists last time; it was against them this time. The two Liberal sections together secured 4,106,000 votes in 1922, and unity has only raised the total to 4,251,000 in 1923. In aggregate votes Socialism has gained more in proportion, but not much.

The Labor Party last year polled 4,102,000, and this year 4,338,000; but as regards seats the luck of the game was with them. . . . Mr. Baldwin was stabbed in the back as no political leader in this country has ever been. Day after day everything was done to spread doubt, discouragement and dismay.

Gatherem [Lord Rothermere, see TIME, Dec. 3] advised his innumerable readers to vote Liberal; then, as the poll came near, with incomprehensible apologetics he told the electors to do both things favoring the Liberals one day and the Unionists the next.

Botherem [Lord Beaverbrook] stuck more stoutly to it that in the cause of whacking food taxes, basely betrayed by Baldwin, Liberalism, but especially Lloyd George and his chief adherents, should be stanchly supported.

The first post-election period was one in which the three big parties, none having a majority over the others, tried to decide what Party was to form a Government. There had evidently been a great deal of vacillation behind the scenes. Conservative-Liberal and Liberal-Labor coalition were hinted at, only to be later denied. Then Premier Baldwin was to resign and the King would ask Lord Derby--H. H. Asquith-- Ramsay MacDonald--to form a Government.

Finally, Premier Baldwin motored up from Chequers Court, held a conference at No. 10 Downing Street, motored over to Buckingham Palace and told the King that he would remain in office until Parliament meets on Jan. 8.

Beyond this the situation was befogged. A new election in the near future is by no means improbable. One thing remained clear: Premier Baldwin's protection program (TIME, Nov. 26) was killed.