London Calling Asia: The future of socialism
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London Calling Asia: The future of socialism
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London Calling Asia: The future of socialism
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Summary of a discussion on the future of socialism featuring Aneurin Bevan, Hugh Gaitskell, and Frank Byers. Topics include British progress, challenges of denationalization, potential industries for nationalization, and insights from Bevan and Gaitskell on socialist policies, parliamentary procedures, and the role of Trade Unions. Gaitskell emphasizes the need for maintaining controls to prevent inflation.
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0:43:31
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1952-12-16
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English
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Socialism
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Interview
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Spoken voice
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Radio Programme
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Shellac 33rpm
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T5651
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BBC00007
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Politics
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Summary of discussion: Announcement. Q: Is British progress towards socialism impeded by denationalisation? What further industries should be nationalised? Gaitskell: Opposition minimises retrograde moves of Government. Transport and steel should be renationalized. Socialists must use parliamentary procedure. Nationalisation could stimulate food production, aircraft industry and heavy chemicals, but should be discussed with Trade Unions. Bevan: We are slipping back but denationalisation difficult. Recent Labour Conference has discussed programme to unite party as whole and speed up socialism. Q (to Bevan): Is Parliament effective to achieve real socialism; if not, should it be abolished? Bevan: Parliamentary machine flexible enough to achieve socialism; much more rapid than dictatorship. No alternative except civil war - not only ineffectual but uncivilised. True socialism - property from private to public ownership. Socialist state only achieved if we believe in it and right people to administer it. Q: People also should co-operate to achieve democratic socialism? Bevan: Through Trade Unions; people are now educated to take their part. Q: Abolition of House of Lords? Bevan: It is being slowly strophied. We don't abolish anything in Britain. Q: Objections to Mr. Bevan's policy? Gaitskell: Differences greatly exaggerated by Press: substantial measure of agreement. Bevan: When millions of people are trying to make up their minds about policy they make an awful row - not like conservatives, where leader makes up his mind. You can't get eight million people round a dinner table for a chat. No split in party, nor is there a graveyard. Q: Is it true, as "Observer" says, that Bevan's advice of two years ago is what Churchill advocates now? Gaitskell: Question of interpretation. Bevan: Using language of opponents. For real split read what Churchill said about conservative colleagues before war. Q: Socialist policy towards Malayan and Colonial Liberation movements? Gaitskell: Policy to raise standard of living and foster development: would change policies of present government. Unemployment is rising and production and investments falling. Socialist policy would aim to maintain high level of employment and keep necessary controls, to prevent inflation. Nationalisation in certain industries would raise productivity. Belief in a communal socialism and in equality; a man's position not depending on accident of birth but on merit and need. Q: Will British Socialism change into Communism, as Marx thought? Bevan: Marx believed in democracy; influence of 19th century rationalism. Socialism modified by local conditions: Communism in Russia very different from Socialism in Britain. Regrets first socialist experiment in country as backward as Russia. Gaitskell: British labour movement never influenced by Moscow. Socialist doctrine idealistic, sprung partly from Christianity - completely different background to communism. Very practical and unimaginative people (except Welsh:), not terribly interested in doctrinal distinctions. Communists instruments of Soviet government. Communist Party will not get control of British Labour Party: tiny minority. Chairman thanks speakers. (applause). 40cm coarsegroove disc. Dubbing of BBC Sound Archives 40cm coarsegroove disc lent to the NSA (1983-06); Transcription Service lib. no. X18939/40. Duplicate set held as 1CE0001213 and 1CE0001215
