Confusion in East l‘forfolk The East Norfolk by-election raises some
interesting questions. How far is it desirable that local parties should choose their own candidates ? What right has a party central office to send down to the constituencies" carpet-baggers "from a distance ? Do Members of Parliament represent their constituencies or a political caucus in London ? In any case the central office's choice of candidate in East Norfolk presents some singular features. Mr. Medlicott, rejected by local Conservatives and approved by the Liberal-National and Conservative Association, is a Liberal-National solicitor from London, distinguished in the past, like his leader Sir John Simon, for devotion to the principles of free trade and a Wee-Free dislike of coalitions. With no intimate experience of agriculture, and with full support from the Government, he offers himself as a suitable representative of the East Norfolk farmers, whose strongest desire is to oppose the Government's agricultural policy on grounds of high protection. Mr. Medlicott's agricultural programme is that the farmers should wait for the excellent policy the Government is about to reveal. It is not surprising that local Conservatism should have revolted in favour of Mr. Wright, a local farmer, who has the support of the National Farmers' Union. Whatever may be thought of his agricultural policy, his claim to be in a position to carry to Westminster a far more intimate knowledge of affairs in the constituency than his National Liberal opponent can hardly be contested.
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