The President. 15th September, 1942 vituperation and criticism. Last week he attacked not only Churchill's conduct of the war but even his manner of dress. He takes exception to the wearing of a siren suit in public. And this is the more strange since Bevan himself is for the most part an untidy man. His hair is seldom brushed, he has no waistcoat and his belly is beginning to run over his breeches. He likes Champagne. It is the general view that Bevan will do Churchill no harm. And certainly at the moment though he is trying to achieve the parliamentary style of Winston when he wished to demolish an opponent, he is attaining only the platform style of Randolph. But just the same, it would be unwise to underrate his effect on the House of Commons. It is the first time that the Prime Minister has been so violently assailed. Before the war, Bevan and Cripps were expelled at the same time from the Labour Party for refusing to toe the party line. Now Bevan as a free lance critic can dispense with Party backing. And his star is rising. But Cripps, in office but without a party, is facing political ruin. He has altogether failed to find acceptance as Leader of the House, and his rebuke to members last week for their |