Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 25, No. 10. 1962.
Liberal Spectre
Liberal Spectre
To the entrenched politicians of the major parties, the Liberal spectre is frightening. Jo Grimond has intimated that the party will enter sufficient candidates at the General Election to form a government. This is a little optimistic. However, there is a possibility of them splitting the anti-Labour poll, so giving the victory to Transport House. The Tories are not the only ones that are worried. The Labour party, led by Hugh Gaitskell, Is concerned at being pushed to the bottom of the poll. This does not augur well for the General Election.
Opinions vary as to whether or not the resurgence is a "flash in the pan". During the 1950's the Liberals would show increases in by-election results, then fall again at General Election time when people are concerned with a government, not just one M.P. By-elections rarely affect the continuity of a government.
On the other hand, never has the Liberal increase matched the present upsurge. At recent local body elections the Liberals gained 305 seats with the loss of 15.