If this does not cause the Government to reflect profoundly
on its fortunes it can only be because the Government's capacity for reflection is atrophied. Derby, of course, is no more than Derby ; the current of, by- elections has not so far run strongly against the Govern- ment. But there are reasons for believing that the Derby result is symptomatic of widespread discontent and mistrust. These, so far as can be seen, were the sentiments that primarily animated the voters ; for the record of the Opposition is not such as to give it any compelling claim on public confidence. To its few outstanding per- sonalities Mr. Noel Baker will be an important and most valuable reinforcement. Nor, it may be assumed, was it the actual raising of sanctions that dictated the result ; that may reasonably be regarded as the inevitable sequel of past weakness and hesitation at Geneva. If it was those qualities, as it clearly was, which the Derby electors condemned, the Derby electors were right. And so far as they condemned the failure of the Government to launch a resolute public works programme to relieve unemployment at home the electors were right again ; its nervelessness in the handling of the Special Areas is sufficient ground for condemnation in itself. It is not easy at the moment to see where an alternative Govern- ment is to come from, but it is profoundly disturbing that a Government should be in office which commands— and merits—so little popular confidence.
