The Road to Power

[p045] THE ROAD TO POWER The problem of power is not merely a theoretical one for Labour in Britain today. It has burning actuality. Its urgency is largely responsible for the appearance of the programme outlined in Aneurin Bevan’s book. “Bold- ness in words must be matched by boldness in deeds... . Audacity is the mood that should prevail among Socialists, 43

[p046] as they apply the full armament of democratic values to the problems of the times,” (p. 133) declares Mr. Bevan. This clarion call will elicit enthusiastic response from the ‘Labour movement, which is eager to see the full armament of Socialist as well as democratic values applied. Up to now the Labour Party leadership’s performance has fallen far short of the expectations and hopes of the ranks. In 1945 they were given an overwhelming mandate to reorganise Britain along socialist lines. After a promising start, the Labour Party leaders faltered and drew back. This helped the Tories come back to West- minster. But it did not take more than a few months for the middle class elements who turned toward the Con- Servatives to become disillusioned. Now, as the County Council elections indicate, the people are again looking for leadership from the Labour Party. The Labour Party ranks are looking toward individuals jike Aneurin Bevan to provide that leadership. If the majority should so signify, as it now appears they do, we of the Labour Left are willing to back Mr. Bevan’s bid for directing the Labour Party forces. Only by enabling Mr. Bevan, his programme and his ideas to pass through the test of experience in office, can the whole Labour movement properly appraise their value. Mr. Bevan and his associates should be given the chance to lead the Labour Party and its next cabinet so they can carry through as far and as fast as they can his experiment in dynamic Parliamentarism. ‘We believe that Labour would support this next step in its political development, while reserving full right to criticise any failures, errors, or shortcomings of his administration. The British workers are accustomed to judge parties and individuals, not by their fair words, but by what they do. ‘They will appraise the results of a Bevan regime in the same way, and confidence can be placed in the outcome of their judgment. — An exceptionally favourable historical opportunity is opening up for British labour. After a few months in office, the Conservatives are obviously demoralised and at their 44

[p047] wits’ end; they have forfeited the confidence of many of their own supporters; division-and confusion prevails in the ranks of the lordly. They are isolated from the people. Their empire is collapsing, and their foreign policy is mis- trusted. At the same time, the middle classes are revolting against the consequences of Tory policy and willing to back Labour. Most important of all, the working class has never been so strong and united. It wields a compact majority and is the sole social force capable of saving Britain and guaranteeing its future. Great Britain can never regain its position of world leadership under capitalist auspices. This has irrevocably passed to the United States. Britain, however, can rise to a new and higher level of world leadership, provided the Labour movement resolutely carries its struggle for Socialism to victory here in the coming period. What are the chief conditions for success in this endeavour? 1. Complete reliance on the organised power of the working class. 2. No confidence in Britain’s capitalists or America’s imperialists. 3. Finish without delay the job of nationalising, demo- cratising, and reorganising industry along Socialist lines. 4. Put into effect a Socialist and democratic foreign policy. « This is the only road to workers’ power and Socialism in Great Britain. 45

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