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SITTING ON A POWDER KEG
This is why political commentators in the press have described politicians (including 'left', Labour and Conservative) as sitting on a powder keg at present and needing to "do something" do disprove the widespread cynicism in the working class. When no element in the working class' political leadership will go to the class and explain the situation and invite discussion of alternatives to adopt, then the class is entitled to feel cynical towards its leaders. It has not been consulted.
Similarly, when the accuracy of Heath and the CBI's description of the economy is apparent, there will be much reaction and discontent within the working class. As a class, it is capable of reason and it is going to ask why nothing was done on its behalf. This is the powder keg which is the lot of the 'left' and trade union leaders who will not believe that their class is capable of reason and apprehending reality. (Heath's success in winning working class support must be limited. One might well ask, if he is right and if he has reality on his side, then why doesn't he cash in on this and tear the Labour Party to pieces and castrate the left. The answer is that Heath is not an opportunist. He and the Tories understand that the working class must continue to be led principally by their own political party and their own political leaders. If these leaders are rendered impotent by their own mistakes, for Heath to cash in on this would be at the peril of British parliamentarism. Heath is more concerned with preserving parliamentarism than he is in enshrining his name in history or even winning the next election. He acts by such principles because he sees politics as being simply a reflection of reality and that that reality must be acknowledged or else order and stability are indeed in question. In acting thus, he is simply following the tradition of the most successful British politicians.)
Already, we can see signs that the working class is weighing up the accuracy of the two positions and asking questions. "It is healthy that the Labour Party and the unions should tell the nation what to expect from another Labour Government - and what is wrong with Mr Heath's economic policies. But there are parts of the policy document, issued by Labour yesterday, that read like a Victorian treatise on sex. It tells you all about the birds and the bees - but nothing about what happens when father and mother go to bed. Easy enough to knock Mr Heath about. The policy statement makes valid criticisms ... If another Labour Government could adjust the balance, the nation would be well served. It will not be well served unless the Labour Party and Unions face a crucial fact of life: If prices are controlled, there cannot be a free-for-all on wages. This is where the policy statement turns Victorian prudish. Not a mention of incomes restraint. Labour MUST come clean on its policy for incomes before the next election." (Daily Mirror, 1.3.1973)
"Will the TUC show equal common sense in trying to find answers to the significant questions asked by Mr Heath in a speech last week? The Prime Minister put those challenges to the TUC: (l) 'How in a free society we can agree on the resources available for wages and salaries and how these should be divided between the different groups of workers?' (2) 'How can we make the system of free collective bargaining one which enables orderly progress to be made instead of one that is constantly generating inflationary pressures?' Or, put in practical terms, how (on a voluntary basis) can the railway worker he given the extra cash he believes - and others may agree - his skill deserve, without the railway porter demanding an equivalent amount? And how do we decide what is fair for both groups? ... Of course, in one day's discussion (the Special Congress), the TUC will not be able to find the answers to the Prime Minister's questions. But sooner or later they will have to give the answers, whether they are asked by a Tory or a Labour Government. That is the only sane way out of a recurring COMPULSORY system of prices and incomes control." (Mirror, 5.3.73). The Mirror quoting Feather at the one day Congress: "'If there is an agreed programme, covering economic development, pensions, prices, rents, income and taxation, then we can agree to help carry it out.' All that - and Heaven too! But WHO is going to control wages? And WHO is going to pay the bill?' Mr Victor Feather is a pedlar of dreams." (6.3.73)
The Mirror clearly expressed another element of the working class consciousness when it supported the grievances of the working class as put forward by TUC as genuine and having to be justly redressed by the Tories. "The rich ARE having a bonanza. The poor ARE being left behind. Prices HAVE been let rip far too much. Houses ARE too dear and too few. Land and development speculators HAVE never had it so good." (1.3.73)
Future articles by myself and Richard Jones will deal with the reality these grievances reflect. The articles will argue that these grievances can only be dealt with by moving forward, not by standing still as the TUC and the 'left' are advocating (a repeal of the Housing Finance Bill with the additional housing needed to come out of thin air; food subsidy without an Empire to draw on for cheap food supplies etc). The articles will argue that the redress of these grievances is only a 'right' of the working class if the working class has the will and develops the ability to develop the productive forces in its own interests HERE and NOW. It should also be noted that future articles will follow up the parts of the TUC Report and Wilson's recent speech re workers control which gingerly acknowledge the changes going on before their eyes without also acknowledging that these changes will mean the old ways must come into conflict with the new and the trade unions and Labour Party change as a result.