The massive Labour gains would iarantee an impressi i polls at a general election, in fact fale has ouualiad its was cere ee of 1963 - the best showing in municipal elections ever. However, it would be foolish not to note certain facts, Firstly, the results were characterised a decline in the position of the Liberal Party which clearly indicates that the former Tory supporters who have been voting Liberal are beginning to return to the fold. This is an entirely forneeable event: disatisfied Tories are quite likely to vote Liberal as a protest, even to the extent of losing the Tories seats. But when the chips are down and these sections, who very often are rightward inclined,see the real possibility of their voting helping the return of a Labour Government it is a different matter, Labour cannot now rely upon 'Orpingtons' or the winning of Tory seats through Liberal intervention,
Secondly, there were in many working class areas reductions in Labour voting. Of course traditionally there is a tendency for there to be a much lower working class poll in municipal elections than in parliamentary ones, Even overconfidence may help to explain these reductions. But surely we must see in them a warning signal.
The left knows that not only will the return of a Labour Government enable the question of real socialist transformation of Britain to be posed in concrete terms rather than merely programmatic ones, but also the best possibly circumstances for the development of a firm socialist core in the Labour Party are those of a Labour Government with a big majority. Apart from its general loyalty to the workers organisations, the left has doubly sure reasons for being perturbed at any development which casts doubt on the possibility of the election of a Labour Government with a large majority. So it is in all sincerity that we can say to the present Labour leadership "Yes, we are very pleased with the election results,~. but a little worried and we feel that they suggest that what is needed for the guaranteeing of a firm election victory is a more decisive socialist policy. One which would inspire and mobilise the working class, bring out even the most backward sections, because being clear cut and cap? etely distinguishable from the popatags of the Tories and the Liberals being one which workers recognise as dirécted against the «employing classes, everyone would know that there was a point in voting." But, of course, we know such an orientation is impossible other than on the basis of the fight for real socialist policies.