Rawlinson's letter in your issue of October nth is both
interesting and provocative. Without a detailed report of the conference it is difficult to question the veracity of his statement that Viscount Hinchingbrooke and his colleagues were refused a hearing, but this does. seem an unlikely state of affairs. The policy advocated by the Tory Reform Group is not, however, in' the long run likely to prove effective in restoring Conservative fortunes since it veers in a Socialist direction. Addicts of whisky prefer it neat. Similarly, Socialists are not looking for a diluted mixture of, their own prescription.
When Mr. Rawlinson states, "Dozens of young men, mostly officers of the R.A.F., offered themselves to the party at the last Election, but were turned down because they had not been to the right school. Then they stood for Labour—and got in," all he succeeds in doing is to show the wisdom of the Central Office in assessing these political oppor- tunists at their exact worth. Such men are a danger to our long- suffering community. I am, however, in absolute agreement with Mr. Rawlinson when he deplores the failure of our party to put up working- men and trade unionists as Parliamentary candidates. I hope at the next Election we shall see at least a hundred of these, more particularly in industrial seats, where their good -sense and knowledge of local con- ditions would be of inestimable value.. On this point it is high time that the Conservative Party woke up. Mr. Rawlinson evidently feels that the histrionic talents of Mr. Churchill and Mr. Amery would be better employed in the House of Lords. Many of us, recalling those talents, and adding to them the courage and character possessed in so superlative a degree by those two great patriots, would prefer them to remain in
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