I READ with interest your report on Labour's problems in Falkirk ("Miliband calls in police over union conduct in Falkirk seat", The Herald, July 6).
One will clearly have to await the results of whatever investigations have been initiated and maybe still to be initiated before a definitive judgment can be reached. However, I believe it to be in order to express opinion on some general aspects of the matter as so far reported.
One can understand the moves by some to have the Labour Party more reflective of its roots. The Scottish Labour Party was formed in Glasgow in 1888 and eventually merged with the Independent Labour Party (ILP) in 1895. Later the ILP joined with trade unions and other kindred spirits to form the British Labour Party in 1900.
For generations thereafter working people had their hopes, aspirations, and demands given expression by many representatives, who shared their background and life experiences. By, for example, the likes of Keir Hardie, a man who first learned about socialism from the songs of Robert Burns extolling the brotherhood of man, rather than from socialist treatises, and Nye Bevan, who had been a miner, as was his father and grandfather.
Who do we now have representing the Labour Party? We have a miscellany of lawyers, lecturers, accountants, management and financial consultants, former trade union officials, and favourites of Labour grandees. They are a fairly privileged bunch with limited, if any, experience of the shop floor, the housing scheme, and the local employment bureau.
As long ago as 1910 Winston Churchill advocated the abolition of the House of Lords. Subsequently , of course, he changed his mind. Labour Governments have had the opportunity to abolish that discredited institution of privilege and deference, which can still be attended by convicted criminals and a number of hereditary peers. They chose not to do so and instead people like Neil Kinnock and John Prescott, both once rabid left-wingers, and others have found a well-paid retirement home.
It may prove in due course to be that some have been misguided in attempting to implement doubtful tactics in choosing Labour parliamentary candidates, construed as being more fitting to represent what they view to be the working people of this country. However, there are some onlookers who can well understand the strategy.
Ian W Thomson,
38 Kirkintilloch Road,
Lenzie.
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