Word: backbenches
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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Macmillan, about to leave for his talks with Eisenhower, was in a confident, combative mood. Previously he had been guardedly correct about Suez; now, to thundering Tory backbench cheers, he declared: "I was one of Sir Anthony Eden's main supporters in his Suez policy. I am proud of it." He was "surprised" that Gaitskell should bring up the subject: "If everybody were to see again those hysterical broadcasts of his, they would have a shock." Sarcastically he taunted: "The Opposition's chief idea in a difficulty is to run away from it. The ostrich...
After Suez. Not all Britons objected. Many recognized that in the Arab countries, Britain and France are currently so discredited that only the U.S. can save positions essential to all of them (a quite different thesis from the angry Tory backbench contention that U.S. interests are trying to drive the British out of the Middle East). They understood that the alliance stands as firm as ever in the geographical limits of its primary purpose-the defense of Europe-and that Britain remains the U.S.'s closest friend by blood, interests and sentiment. This fact was underlined last week when...
...hurry to promise any oil until the British left Suez. There was the discontented U.N. Hammarskjold was insisting that British and French forces withdraw from Port Said before any settlement was made for the canal. There was rebellion among Eden's own followers: a committee of backbench Tory M.P.s from the "Suez group" came to tell him bluntly that he must stand up firmly to U.N. demands or lose their support. In another office, officials were preparing the most conspicuous dramatization of Eden's troubles-the imposition of gasoline rationing...
...Gaullist defection started a political bank run. Backbench Deputies besieged their leaders, urging them to desert the government. They had differing reasons, but a single fear: if this government was blamed for "losing North Africa," they stood to lose their seats in next year's elections. The dissident Gaullists caucused and demanded that Minister of Moroccan and Tunisian Affairs Pierre July resign. July refused. Then, the Independents voted for the withdrawal of Foreign Minister Pinay and the Independents' two other Cabinet members...
Last week Churchill's youngsters were getting so rebellious that the master himself decided to drop in on the backbench organization still known as the 1922 Committee, though only a handful of today's backbenchers were M.P.s in 1922. The Prime Minister got a rousing cheer when he told the rebels of the government's plans "to denationalize road haulage at the earliest possible moment." Then, step by step, the Prime Minister covered the points at issue. "He went over the same old ground," said one backbencher, "but somehow, if the Old Man took you from Piccadilly...