Word: labouring
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...quiet desperation. The pound weakened. Government officials rushed to reassure the country. Economic experts predicted the government's moment of truth would arrive by the end of the summer. The currency crisis is only one symptom of a more serious malady. It reflects the restrictive practices of British labour and the resistance of British businessmen to innovation; it dramatizes the backwardness of British industry...
These Conservative errors have done for Labour what Labour could not do for itself. They have dissipated the general apathy which was undoubtedly helping the Tories. Earlier in the campaign, Mr. Wilson and his subordinates could not change the languid mood with their bland talks on housing, pensions, and education. But once voters--especially floating or undecided voters--began to take interest in the election, they seemed to respond more favorably to the issues Labour raises than to Sir Alec's favorites: the independent nuclear deterrent and the dangers of nationalization. And the possibility of a balance of payments crisis...
Psephologists agree that a few floating voters in a few--less than 100--marginal constituencies will probably decide the election. For almost two years, these voters deserted the Conservatives, and Labour's margin in the popularity polls was as high as 17 per cent--and seldom dropped below ten. Only during the August holiday this year did the Tories rally and, helped by prosperity and apathy, they finally took the lead in all three major polls early this month. The usual Labour surge at the beginning of the campaign period came a week late, but it did come; Labour recovered...
Less tangible evidence suggests that voters have accepted Labour as the safer party. The Conservative boom appears shaky, and the Tories have clearly not made the kind of economic and social changes that Britain needs to keep up with the U.S. and the Common Market. Conservative politicians have appeared unsure while Mr. Wilson and his party--even when the polls went against them--were confident and optimistic...
Most psephologists, after two months of speculation on a Tory comeback, are predicting a small Labour majority in the next Parliament. Stock market prices are down in anticipation of a Labour victory, and Ladbrooks's "bookmakers to the Establishment," puts the odds at 1-3 for Labour and 9-4 for the Conservatives. Labour looks like the safer...