The election was a very sharp setback for the Labor Party, a powerful comeback for the Conservatives. In 1945 Labor had won 61% of the House of Commons; last week it won only a shade more than 50%. With 313 seats needed for an absolute majority, Labor had 315, the Conservatives 296, the Liberals 9, independents 3. The Speaker is considered a neutral, and one district will elect later.
Retrospect. When the returns had finally been tabulated, these points were worth noting:
ΒΆ The Labor losses were probably part of the same swing which had brought about socialist defeats in Australia, New...