What is a Libertarian doing lamenting the passing of a Communist Trades Unionist ?
Because the man was an idealist and a representative. When the nationalised Upper Clyde Shipbuilders went into receivership in 1971, instead of the usual we are going on strike, which was a pretty pointless move Reid declared-
We are not going on strike, we are taking over the yards because we refuse to accept that faceless men can make these decisions. We are not strikers- we are responsible people and we will conduct ourselves with dignity and discipline.
There was to be no hooliganism, no vandalism and nae bevvying. A phrase that swept round the world.
Heath eventually backed down and two out the three yards are still working owned by BAE systems. It is always harder to build than it is to destroy.
Reid saw through the cronyism of the Scottish Labour party and disliked the professional politician. He accused Tony Benn of having more conversions on the road to Damascus than a Syrian long distance truck driver. He was intensely critical of Scargill's suicidal miners strike. He saw through the modernisers in the Labour Party under Kinnock and the hijacking of the party by Blair and Brown. Reid joined the SNP when he finally realised that Labour no longer represented Scotland's interests.
The faceless men now run Britain, using glib slogans and soundbites. Reid was a genuine man of the people, he stood in front of men in driving rain and persuaded them to follow him.
Whilst my politics are different to his, I respect the man, the leader and the idealist.(And I am damn sure I would have enjoyed a bevy with him)
3 comments:
Good to give credit where it's due. Nice one, Guthrum.
RIP Jimmy
I heard the Radio4 Last Word on Jimmy Reid and while I would rather have had them push to mutualise the shipyards (paying land and scrap, surely, for the company was not selling a going concern, right?) the ideal to work and work responsibly shone out.
A leader of men and, yes, I too would have bought him a bevy.
NEVERTHELESS, THE CIVIL LAW is and must be neutral about who has a more noble or rewarding faith. The breakaway parishes ought to win every Office 2010facet of the lawsuit not becauseMicrosoft Office 2010 their beliefs or their politics are better, Microsoft wordbut because both lawOffice 2007and equity, along with common sense, are on Microsoft Officetheir side.Microsoft Office 2007 Not only does Virginia state law (the Division Statute)Office 2007 keyexplicitly apply to just such a Office 2007 downloadsituation as now exists, but the history Office 2007 Professionalespecially of The Falls Church argues against the claims of Outlook 2010the Virginia Diocese with which theyMicrosoft outlookhave disassociated.Microsoft outlook 2010First, The Falls Church wasWindows 7 founded, formed, and developed long before the diocese, or the national Episcopal Church, even existed.
Post a Comment