Spectator's Notebook
THE Liberals were no doubt tempted to abandon their annual conference, as the other parties have done. Such gatherings (of any party) are either potentially explosive—as when policies are being genuinely argued about— or they are tedious. Cer- tainly nothing very stimu- lating was in progress When I looked into one of the sessions at West- minster Central Hall last weekend. This, however, Was obviously better for the party than any lively disagreements. One could not help reflecting that the phrases which are thrown around so bravely in an ordinary year ring hollowly when the day of decision is so near. 'If this amend- ment is passed you have the chance to catch the imagination of the people of this country,' someone was saying. Perhaps: but it did not take much conversation in the lobbies to con- firm that a lot of Liberals, at least, are aiming rather lower than that. Their aspiration for their Party is to avoid a crippling defeat. A sort of Political patience has been learned from the dizzy ups and downs of recent years. At one time their general election hopes knew no ceiling. Now, in private at least, they are sensibly Willing to face the prospect of seeing an even smaller number of Liberal MPs muster in the new House of Commons than has survived so far. It would be painful for them, of course: but at least that rash euphoria has been left behind already.
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