Great Britain: Pub Chatter

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After Tory defeats in two by-elections and reduced margins in three more, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan's political enemies once again were crying for his scalp. Emboldened by its own gains in the votes, Labor sharpened its criticism of Macmillan's government, and even critics among the Tories themselves now referred to the onetime "Macwonder" as "Mr. Macfail." This made good chatter in pubs; but by-elections are hardly representative of a whole nation's mood. In any case, the Tories would not have to call a general election until 1964. Until then, Macmillan could fall back on his control of the House of Commons, where he has a solid majority of over a hundred.