Abstract

Labor`s Semi-divided House

In its more than 50-years existence the Labor Party of Great Britain has held forty-nine annual policy-making conferences. But at none has such stout party unity been exhibited at the party's 50th birthday. Belying pre-conference minors of a growing split among the leaders, the big debate on socialist ideology was opened for the executive committee by Herbert Morrison, the leader of the party's right wing, and closed of the executive by Aneurin Bevan, the flag bearer of the party's left. Belying old and persistent rumors that British Prime Minister Clement Attlee and this fire-eating Minister of Health are at odds, Bevan in his speech paid Attlee a handsome personal tribute and when he finished speaking, Attlee rose from his chair, moved down the executive table and wrung Bevan's hand with great warmth, a gesture, the Prime Minister accorded no other of the score or more of speakers for the executive committee.