political parties in Britain. Atthe time of the War, Britain hadan all-party government headedby Prime Minister WinstonChurchill of the Conservativeparty. The Conservatives wantedto maintain the empire for aslong as possible. In comparisonto the Conservatives, the Labourparty was more willing to help Indians get their freedom.
The British were willing to give the status of Dominion to India under the British Crown soon after the War. But the Congress wanted a promise of complete freedom for India. The Congress also demanded that an immediate national government should be set up at the Centre. The British objected to this by saying that they have to also protect the interests of several other communities in India. They meant that Congress did not represent all Indians, like Muslims. They also implied that Congress may be ignoring the interests of many Indians. So, the British were required to protect these interests.