. The Municipal Elections took place throughout the country - on
Monday. in the provincial towns there has been very little change. The gains on one side have balanced the losses on the other. In London, however, the London Municipal Reformers—the party pledged to keep municipal expendi- ture -within bounds and fight Socialism—have had' some very notable triumphs. For example, in Battersea, which was one of the most Socialistio of the Borough Councils, the Socialists have been literally swept off the field. There are only two Socialist members left on the Council, whereas before there were twenty-nine. Taking London as a whole,- the Municipal Reformers now number nine hundred and seventy- seven—we take the figures of the London Municipal Society— whereas in 1906 only nine hundred and fifty-nine were returned. On the other hand, their Progressive opponents now -number two hundred and fifty-one, whereas in 1906 they returned two hundred and seventy-two members. The Labour and Socialist representatives are now forty-one as against thirty-four, while the Independent members are ninety-three as against ninety-seven. The Independents can by no means be counted as Socialists, and probably half of them are in general sympathy with the Municipal Reformers.
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