Continuing Confidence

When it came to oratory in the last campaign, no Tory was more outspoken than white-haired Lord Woolton, 68, the party chairman. From the hustings, he promised British housewives that the Tories would provide "more red meat," and would not tamper with Labor's food subsidies. Once back in office, the Tories behaved not as Lord Woolton promised, but as circumstances compelled. Down went the meat ration; up went food prices as Chancellor "Rab" Butler reduced food subsidies. "Uncle Fred" Woolton (who became a household name to Britons during his able wartime administration of food rationing) was plainly embarrassed by Labor's taunts about broken promises.

Last week, red-faced Uncle Fred drove to 10 Downing Street, volunteered to quit his cabinet job as Lord President of the Council and his post as party chairman. Labor's Daily Herald got wind of the story, and hoping to divert attention from Labor's own dissentions, splashed it all over Page One. At that point Winston Churchill, who does not usually deign to acknowledge such reports, issued a sharp personal statement: "There is no question of Lord Woolton's resigning. He has the Prime Minister's full and continuing confidence . . ." Said beaming Uncle Fred, obviously grateful for Churchill's support: "Neither my colleagues nor I have any regrets for what we have done."

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