Evening star., 1945-05-13
Hint Of Election DATE
May Be Given Today
lin Churchill Broadcast
By the Associated Press.

1 ~ ehC AoooSAdtCo GItSSs
| LONDON, May 12.-Britain antici-
pates that Prime Minister Churchill
may give hint during his anniver-
sary broadcast tomorrow night 6
pm, EWT) of when it can expect
Its first general election in 10 years,
the longest stretch this country has
gone in modern times without choos-
ing parliament.
i (Mr. Churchill's broadcast will
be carried by all major American
networks starting at pm. EWT)
There is almost unanimous opinion
the elections will be this year, prob
ably either in July or in October.
August and September generally are
ruled out for voting as that is the
time for gathering the harvest.
A hot fight aside from party plat
forms appears developing around
Mr.. Churchills dual position as both
leader of the Conservative party, a
post he accepted five months after
becoming prime minister, and leader
of the nations war effort.
Labor Plans Fight.
Labor ministers in the coalition
cabinet have stated that while they
have pledged allegiance to Mr..
Churchill the war leader they stand
ready to fight Mr.. Churchill the
political leader.
Mr.. Churchill's personal popular
ity is sure to be one of the Con-
servatives' strongest cards. The
Labor party organ, the London Daily
Herald, already has Struck the op-
position note by calling for a cam
paign based on social issues rather
than on the popularity of party
| leaders.
Both major parties have proposed
a cradle to the grave" security
program, the most sweeping this
country ever has known, but are
lined up squarely on opposite sides
on the extent of postwar reform.
The Conservatives are sounding
the theme of free enterprise"
while the Laborites are calling for
drastic naturalization of industries
such as coal mines, power and in
land transport, and for government
control of the Bank of England.
By-Elections Cited.
The only chance party strategists
have had to sample the sentiment
of voters has been in by-elections
These are somewhat indecisive as
a barometer since all major parties
in the coalition cabinet have been
ronfforo1
candidates.
Under the election truce, when
vacancies occur in Parliament
through death or resignation, the
party that held the seat is allowed
to fill it, although independents and
the left wing Commonwealth party
have offered challenges.
One of the biggest political upsets
of the war saw the defeat of a Con-
servative backed by Mr. Churchill
and other members of the cabinet at
the hands of Commonwealth can
didate in the usually solid Conserva-
tive Chelmsford district nine days
ago.
Foreign policy is not expected to
be an important campaign factor as
all parties are committed to the
Churchill governments wartime role
in the international field.
Election Date is Key.
However, British intercession in
Greece is likely to be target and
some bitter exchanges already have
been made relative to the votes of
both Conservative and Laborite
members of parliament during the
days before and at the time of the
1888 Munich agreement.
Herbert Morrison, who was Labor
Party chairman and now, at 81, is
minister of labor in the coalition,
has been mentioned as his party's
possible choice for the premiership.
Once Mr.. Churchill has decided on
the date for election and advised the