GREAT BRITAIN: Fall Elections?

“Other countries … are wondering what we shall do next. Let the voice of Britain be heard, Mr. Attlee. Fix the election date now.”

With these words, the left-wing Sunday Pictorial (circ. 5,093,935) joined Conservatives in asking Prime Minister Clement Attlee for a general election this fall. Tories feel they have a fresh talking point in British failure in Iran, are sure they can tip the balance of power to their side. Labor’s own left wing, led by rambunctious Nye Bevan, would like a showdown before the government makes more commitments for defense at the expense of the welfare state.

Attlee, with a choice of going to the voters before winter (when coal will be scarce) or of waiting until spring (when winter coughs and perhaps Iran, too, may be forgotten), may announce his decision during the Labor Party conference, which opens on Oct. 1. Meantime, the Tory Daily Express, the Communist Daily Worker, the liberal London Star were all claiming inside information that Attlee would call an autumn election.