2110-5-8-8

St. Stephen's House, London, S. W. 1.

17th March, 1931

My own darling,

I wish I were going with you and Alice to Eton to-day. It looks like being fine weather.

You will see that we beat the Government and retained the University Representation by four votes. It was a most exciting occasion. My estimate was that we would be beaten by between 20 and 30, but about half-way through the debate I realised that the majority against us could not be as big, and I put it at about 15. But till I saw David Margesson go very white and turn round and wave his hand to me, I never imagined that we could win. What happened was that a great number of Labour people that I had lobbied, and still more of the Liberals, stayed away, while eleven Liberals voted with us. It is a great triumph for our patient propaganda. Hugh Cecil made an excellent speech. I spoke shortly and rather late; but I think I did something to shake the Liberals. There was a tremendous scene at the end of waving papers and cheering.

Robert Horne thinks it is the last nail in the Government's coffin. He had come from a big meeting of Duff Cooper's, and he says that the omens at St. George's are now very good, and that Duff should win by several thousands. If Oxford can win the Boat Race we shall have had a satisfactory week.

I will write you a line to-night, after I have talked to Ferris about plans for next week.

Much love to everytody. John