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"Better Outside." When he read the Tribune article, Attlee from his sickbed called Foreign Secretary Herbert Morrison, sent him to Bevan to discuss the Tribune challenge. What, asked Morrison was the motive behind the piece? Did
Bevan deny or uphold it? Bevan stood by the Tribune.
Another effort to smoke Bevan out into the open was made by Defense Minister Emanuel Shinwell, once a Labor left-winger himself. At Newcastle last week, Shinwell denounced Bevan in a speech, urged him to quit the government. Shin-well did not use Bevan's name, but everyone knew whom he meant. Said Shinwell: "Those who say 'I am the person who counts, never mind the others' are better outside the party."
Early this week Bevan defended his act in the House of Commons, speaking from a back bench traditionally reserved for ministers who have resigned.
Britain has been "dragged too far behind the wheels of American diplomacy," he said. Arms production in the U.S. will gobble up raw materials at such a rate that "the civilian economy of the Western world outside America will be undermined." Said Bevan: "It may be that on such an occasion as this, the very dramatic nature of the resignation might cause even some of our American friends to think before it is too late."
Urging complete preservation of the National Health Service, Bevan cried: "What answer will you have when the vandals"—he waved across at the Tory benches—"come and sit here?" One Labor M.P. commented bitterly: "Bevan's committed political suicide. But why should he murder us all at the same time?"
Tory M.P. Sir Waldron Smithers rose immediately after the speech, to ask: "Would it not be the duty of the government now to announce the date of the general election?" Mr. Speaker ruled the question out of order.
The Backbenchers. What support has Bevan? From a parliamentary count made last week by his wife, there are some 20 backbenchers who will vote with him. In addition, War Minister John Strachey, Supply Minister George Strauss and some junior ministers are more sympathetic to Bevan than to Attlee.
Bevan's resignation comes at the worst possible time for the Laborites. If Bevan votes against the government Attlee can win only if he has Tory support. Churchill, anxious to force an election, is likely to seize the first opportunity to bring Labor down.
Thus, Labor might be forced to fight an election with many of last year's stalwarts absent:.Bevin dead, Bevan in opposition, Cripps very ill, and Attlee himself in sickbed. It might be the beginning of the end.