New Left Review I/12, November-December 1961

Colin Tapper

A Case of Privilege

the wedgwood benn case excited considerable attention when it was first heard, but now it is already being forgotten. For this fading, the Conservative Central Office can take the credit, for it has directed the whole operation, since the death of Wedgwood Benn’s father, last November. At first sight it seems a tactical error to have fought the campaign at all. Despite success in many of their moves, the Central Office have aroused public opinion against themselves and have created a situation where their representative can’t appear in the Commons without embarrassing the party. Since they must have foreseen this, it can be assumed that unseating Wedgwood Benn brought them some compensation. I suggest that the key is to be found in one vital passage in the court’s judgment:

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