GREAT BRITAIN: 27 Men on a Bicycle

Health Minister Aneurin Bevan and his closest political friends believe that Socialism is like a bicycle;—if it stops, it topples. Therefore they have long advocated a fast, nonstop nationalization of British industries. Last week it was apparent that the Bevan group had given some ground to the go-slow faction headed by Herbert Morrison. Labor issued the first draft of the platform on which it hopes to be re-elected next year, and the gist was that the Socialist bicycle would move forward at a greatly reduced rate of speed.

Sugar? The 30-page program which last week arrived at the door of every Labor Party bigwig was entitled Labor Believes in Britain. One wag recalled Carlyle’s comment to a young lady who declared that she had accepted the Universe: “By God, Madam, you’d better!” A lot of work had gone into its cherry-red, pink-striped covers. For over a year, an army of party researchers had dredged up basic facts. Recently, during a nice weekend on the Isle of Wight, the 27-man Labor Party executive, sparked by Morrison, sifted the data and started knocking a platform together.

“Moderates” like Morrison clashed with Bevan’s fast-cycling views. The upshot was a compromise. Nationalization was only extended to six more industries—water supply, meat wholesaling and cold storage, all “suitable” mineral production, industrial insurance, sugar, cement. Actually, three of these are already partially under state control; all can be controlled—Labor hopes—without complex reorganization.

Bromides? The program promised significant concessions to catch the vote of the middle-class housewife. “The voice of the consumer,” it proclaimed, “must ring out with strength and emphasis.” Above all, Labor rediscovered competition. In a section headed “Encouragement for Enterprise,” it called for “development” of competition and the continued “fruitful partnership” between public and private industry and the state.

London’s independent Economist wrote icily: “Fustian and bromide . . . [The program] will cause some stirrings in the Socialist graveyards …” The Liberal Manchester Guardian sniffed: “Skillful patchwork . . . but the triumphant Socialist spirit has evaporated.”

The Labor Party fathers touchily replied: “You really must accept our word that our experts know what we are doing . . .”