Debate on the Address.

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 10 February 1920.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Mr Donald Maclean Mr Donald Maclean , Peebles and Southern

I join in what my right hon. Friend has said in regard to the speeches which were made by the mover and seconder of the Address. My hon. and gallant Friend (Col. Peel) and myself are very old friends. I am certain that his fear, which he so modestly expressed, that the lustre of the great name which he bears might to some extent suffer from his effort was entirely dispelled by the exceedingly able, modest, and lucid speech which he made. Ho has shown us that heredity is in full evidence, so far as he is concerned, and I have every confidence that he will bear a part in the deliberations of this House worthy of the great name he bears. In regard to my hon. Friend the Seconder, he has only, I think, been a year in this House, but he has already got right down to the method of previous speeches here, and has shown already that he is likely to prove a worthy and most efficient member of this great assembly.

There is a very considerable change in the feeling of the country, and in this House, to that of a year ago. I would like to comment for a moment or two upon that. I think it is a quite familiar method of opening one's comments, and in approaching the programme of the Government. It is perfectly true that all Governments when they come into power very soon begin to spend their majority. Someone, I think, said it is no use belonging to a Government unless you can spend your majority like a gentleman. I think that was the phrase. But there has been no parallel to such an expressed lack of confidence, as shown by bye-elections, as has been the case during the past twelve months. [HON. MEMBERS: "No, no."] I think that is so.