The Avalanche The virtual obliteration of the Labour Party as
a Parlia- mentary force needs a great deal more explana- tion than the Daily Herald's attribution of it to a " storm of abuse and falsehood " or the references of the Manchester Guardian (which finally came down on the side of Labour) to "the most fraudulent election campaign of our times." There 1 as been the average amount of abuse, and as between sections of the Labour Party something more than the average amount of bitterness. But if solid reasons for the astonish- ing transfer of political allegiances are sought for, plenty- that are solid enough come readily to hand. The doubtful or stay-at-home voter, who, when he does go to the poll almost always turns elections, certainly did go to it this time and supported the National Government. Distrust of the Labour Party's election programme, in particular its proposed nationalization of the banks, probably lost the Party as many votes as National Government candidates secured by their own appeal. To that was added distrust of the Labour leaders them- selves as men who failed to face the emergency when in office as men of courage should. That charge was carried to quite unfair lengths, but rightly or -Wrongly it told with the elector. Finally there was the conviction, fully justified, that the future of the pound was much safer with a National than with a Labour Government.
