When the Labour party adopted the "One Nation"
slogan, it was widely accepted as reasonable, bearing in mind that it was going
to be a party for all the people.
It was Disraeli, of course, who first coined the
phrase for his brand of conservatism, aware that the existence of two nations,
the "haves" and the "have-nots", was unacceptable. Having enfranchised the
working-class male in 1867, he was clearly thinking of elections when he
described the working class as the "Angel in the Marble", the ones who could
guarantee his party election success. Nevertheless, winning the 1874 election
did not stop his courtship of the working people and it is worth looking at a
few of the laws passed during his administration, which lasted until
1880.
Most pertinent of all, in view of Cameron`s
promises to make it almost impossible for legal strike action to take place, was
the Conspiracy and Protection of Property Act, which legalised peaceful
picketing! Gladstone`s law prohibiting it had led to the arrest of women for
"hooting" at no less a place than Chipping Norton! Also, an Employers and
Workmen Act put both on the same legal footing.
Disraeli continued to gain support from working
people with a number of Acts, which historians criticise for being "permissive",
but they are worthy of mention. A Food and Drugs Act tightened up laws against
the adulteration of food,an Enclosures Act prepared the way for the green belts
in cities, an Artisans` Dwellings Act pulled down uninhabitable homes, whilst
the Factory Act reduced the hours of the working week, making possible the
arrival of Saturday afternoon sport. They weren`t brilliant,the working people
were still exploited and inequality was massive, but it was the 19th century,
and it was a Conservative government in power.
Fast forward 140 years and there are lessons
for our 21st century Labour party. What is the point of having the "One Nation"
slogan if Labour will not fight for the right to
strike?
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