The shock elicited by the Soviet–German pact of non-aggression is gradually subsiding. The Conservatives continue to behave in a very restrained manner, and before the parliamentary session on 24 August, Chamberlain asked Greenwood ‘to go slow’ and not to attack the USSR too harshly in connection with the pact. Greenwood and other leading Labourites who spoke during the session did indeed behave quite decently this time. But the backbenchers gave vent to their feelings and heaped abuse on the USSR. The foulest speech on the 24th was given by the ‘Independent’ MP, McGovern,

John McGovern, Independent Labour Party MP, 1930–47.

yet it notably failed to draw approval from the House. The Daily Herald set new records for vileness. But, as I’ve said, passions seem to have started cooling off a bit in the last two days, and Labour is slowly coming to its senses. At every step you hear: how could the Soviet Union, a socialist state, enter into an alliance with the ‘Nazis’? Aren’t they foolish, those Labourites! They don’t understand the ABC of Soviet foreign policy. The Liberals understand it better, and not only Lloyd George; men such as Mander also take a quite acceptable position.