Marginal
The buzz at Erith is that Labour will select its by-election candidate next Wednesday. (The locally connected and spendidly named Mr. Wellbeloyed is still the favourite.) If you move three weeks forward from this date you come to Thursday, October 14--bang in the middle of the Conservative conference. However, it's un- likely that the Tories will hear news of a famous victory while they are gathered together at Brighton. For after Labour has chosen its candi- date,. he will have to be adopted at a further meeting - which would seem to make Oiling day October 21 at the earliest. Meanwhile, the Con- servative forces sit twiddling their thumbs, as onl■ limited political work can legally he carried out before the three weeks' campaign begins.
The 1 ory high command is certainly impres- sive. Advising the candidate there is Mr. Peter Walker. who played a substantial part in helping Mr. Charles Morrison to win Devizes in 1964 and who himself contested neighbouring Dart- ford in the past. Then there is the efficient Mr. Cyril Norton, the chief-Central Office agent, who is somehow reminiscent of Chief Superintendent Lockhart. Not least, there is Mr. Alec Todd, the recently appointed and successful liaison officer between the party and the press at West- minster. who is returning temporarily to his old battlegrounds. Both he and,Mr. Norton took a- principal part in defeating Mr. Patrick Gordon Walker at Leyton. Transport House is perhaps wise to agree that the seat is marginal.
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