Peter Tatchell has been judged unfit to be a Labour MP because he wrote an article in support of 'extra-parliamentary action'. Yet compared to some tactics which have been either adopted by the Labour Party, or suggested by its leaders in the past, posals for a sit down in Westminster and large demonstrations are mild.
There is the following example: 'No parliamentary effort could do what we are asking you to do, and desperate our measures are, dangerous as they are, we believe that the disease is so desperate and dangerous that it is only desperate and dangerous methods that can provide a remedy.. means a chalente to the whole constitution of the countrv.' These remarks were made 1920. The 'measures' being advocated were an indefinite general strike aimed stopping military intervention against the Soviet government revolutionary Russia.
But perhaps most remarkable about this speech is who made it.
communist agitator, even member of the left wing of Peter Tatchell's promember of the Labour's right wing leadership who ten years later was to join Ramsay MacDonald® splitting the party.
Thomas made inis speech when the government of the day, led by Lloyd George had more or less ruled out possible military intervention against the Soviet government. respect Thomas's words were for knew it was unlikely that he would ever be asked to carry out the threats he was making Nevertheless, that Thomas was obliged sound militant says much about the period of history in which he spoke, for was a ume which established a very different sort of tradition in the party than that which Michael Foot and his cohorts are swearing by today.
The demands that were then being made in lne party for 'direct action' were NOlusi possible British intervenagainst sovie Union. There was also MUCH talk ot a strike to secure the nationalisation of the coal Illics. 1912 Transport strike — only for industrial ends?
tary leadership was hostile • to the COLOR. During the debate the chairperson of the party, J McGurk of the miners? union. , sounded like Michael root sounds today.
are enner constitutionalists or we are not constitutionalists' 5210. If we are constitutionalists, if we believe in the efficacy of the political weapon then it is both unand because we fail to get a maonly al tie pols call round and demand that we SUDSLILUEC tion. Weapon Finally, J R Clynes, who was also to go with MacDonald in the split of insisted he that the party national ex. ecutive 'feared more thar Cisc whal had come to be called direct ac. ion and thus it had 'taker up exactly the position of and capitalist and politician at the present time' Bromley, a delegate from the train drivers' rammed home this point. He called the rank and file a lead. They were waiting for it. It was the leaders who were too respectable, who did not like to be roasted in the capitalist press, who liked to be called level-headed trade unionists.
DEMAND By a iwo-to-one majority the advocates acci acuon won une con ference vote. Threats of a transport workers the following vCaI alsu secured an important vicIt would be wrong to argue that the advocates of under the leadership of Nye Bevan. CLERKS 'direct action are more representative of the history of the Labour Par than are the Michael Foots of this they have a place in the party's history, and in that respect they are are part of traditions. It l those traditions that need defending today.
and supported the blue union it was
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THE NUC