Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-01
British Election Has
No Historic Parallel
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON, October 31.-The political
world is still dazed by the immensity
Of Prime Minister Ramsay MacDon-
AIDS triumph. History affords nc
parallel to the event which has OBJ.
liberated o whole party and leaves thu
new government without effective op-
position.
The amazing feature Of this weeks
election is the uniformity of the
demonstration. With the exception OF
few mining centers, the tidal wave
swept the country from end to end
engulhng every type of constituency.
Cautious observers, while rejoicine
at the emphasis of the decision, are
concerned at the vastness of the ma
Jority, which reyeals a grave defect in
the electoral system, inasmuch a
Labor polled third of the votes and
is left with only twelfth Of the rep
resentation. Labor benefited by this
defect In the previous election and re-
fused to remedy it and Is now hoist
with its own petard. But strong feel
ing is expressed that the new govern
ment must introduce the principle of
proportional representation.
The main causes of the magnitude
Of the victory are the complete failure
of the Labor government to implement
Its promises to cure unemployment and
resentment of the public at the refusal
of MacDonald's colleagues, on dicta-
ton from the Trades Union Council,
to support cuts in the dole in order
to help balance the budget More
over, Labor's attack on the banks and
the vague revolutionary proposals IN
its election program alarmed the small
investor. 1t is generally agreed that
he ria TR0v ~
in the result and the evidence Is con-
elusive that an important element Of
Labor realized that the extravagancies
of the dole system ultimately penalized
the working classes.
Broadcasting was great factor In
the election and Philip Snowden's
devastating exposures of his late coll
leagues refusal to face the facts in the
national situation and their subordina-
ton to the Trades Union Council pen
etrated millions Of homes and pro-
duced a profound impression. Finally,
the fact that the Liberals ran. few can
didates and in spite OF David Lloyd
Georges appeal, voted mainly for the
government, led to the elimination of
Triangular contests and q straight
issue between the government and
Labor.
The most dramatic personal incidents
in the election we're MacDonald's
wonderful victory in the strongest
Labor constituency In the coun-
try and the defeat Of his for
mer colleague, Arthur Henderson, now
the leader Of the Labor party, in an
other purely Labor constituency. This
enhanced MacDonaid's pres
tige and strengthened his hand in deal
ing with the dificult situation left by
the election. His vast majority consists
Of 470 Conservatives, 20 Liberals and .
handful of Labor members, but the i'm
offices of the government are
held In nearly equal proportion.
The question Is discussed as to how
long the Conservatives, in overwhelming
command of the House Of Commons,
will consent to keep the bond Of Ma
tional non-party government, especially
in view of the critical question of tariffs,
on which the Liberals and Conserva-
lives are sharply opposed. Fears are
expressed that Macdonald no longer will
be able to keep his team together and the
cuckoo will thrust the other
out of the nest in its eagerness
It. secure a full protectionist program,
sentative platforms during the election.
There is no expectation Of an early
Fulfllnaent of these fears. Stanley Bald
win, the Conservative leader, fought the
election on a non-party basis and
rave specific undertakings against
forcing extreme protectionist aims. His
loyalty is unquestioned. Moreover, the
extreme seriousness Of domestic and
world problems that face the govern
nent immediately provides an over
argument against . rupture
which would iing the country back into
The caIdron of party conflict. The Lon
Ion Times daily is appealing to the Con-
;ervatfves to pursue moderate courses.
This advice Is strengthened by the
TACT that the wiser heads among the
are aware that Paris win
provide no solution for the immediate
IangIe of the country's affairs. They
expect to see the government follow
cautious. delaying tactics on the general
iariff issue, while taking measures forth
with to suppress illegitimate dumping,
which, In anticipation Of the adoption
,f . general tar has assumed extra0r-
1ir.a r-u Aiy,aaneiaE< They regard an earlv