Democracy Defended

 Democracy Defended is a pamphlet that equity had to vote on that was issued by the TUC.  This pamphlet was basically responsible for outlining the new Trade Union policy that Communists would not be allowed to hold positions in the unions. It was pretty much the end of Bea's political activism. It was incredibly sad I think that the unions turned on them, as the entire reason Bea became involved in the Unions in the first place was because of her communist beliefs in wanting to have the workers (or actors) govern themselves and have the working classes be treated more equably. I found a copy of the pamphlet at the British library, what it seemed to come down to was the Communists didn't want the Marshall Plan and the help of America as they didn't believe this would help the economy or the working classes, and the Trade Union Congress was in favour. 

The pamphlet is full of propaganda and inflammatory statements. Oddly though even when it quotes the Communists, to show how wrong they are, it still seems like they are trying to help the working classes.

The pamphlet contains, "Two statements by the General Council of the Trade Unions Congress, both deal the Communist menace to British Trade Union Democracy."

The first  was "issued October 27, 1948 warning to the Trade union movement to be on its guard against Communist attempt to use Cominform tactics to override the democratically determined policy of the movement and to wreck Britain’s prospects of economic recovery.  The second, issued on November 24^th 1948 (look up both these dates in the Daily worker) exposes these attempts in greater detail."

"A wide range of policy was determined at Congress in September last. The Communist Party have now openly declared their intention to undermine, and if possible, make ineffective those democratically determined policies" (check what their response was, though later it seems like its the US assistance they object to).

"The Trade Union movement has always been tolerant to minority viewpoints formulated and fought for inside the movement (their emphasis), but in the light of the renewed open challenge of the Communist Party the decision has been taken by the GC of TUC that the democratic basis, function and practice of our movement must be defended against this outside interference…"

Warning to trade unionists

Statement issued by the General Council of the TUC on October 27, 1948

The attitude of the British Communists is in full conformity with that of the Communist organisations in other countries, notably in France. The industrial conflict now raging there clearly demonstrates the outcome of this policy.

(their bold. In other words because France’s situation isn’t working the commies are wrong. Not that England’s financial situation was any better and the problems in France could have been cause by, oh say the war!)

Decisions made by the body calling itself the Cominform, set up in autumn 1947 (again check the daily worker on these details)

The communist parties oppose the Marshall plan.

To bring about stoppages in industry

“It is clear that the communist Parties are doing their utmost to wreck the entire recovery efforts of Britain and of the European countries which have accepted the offer of American co-operation and financial aid. (Or they just don’t like US taking advantage)

“malignant character of communist agitation and organisation, They urge the Executives of all affiliated unions, their District and Branch Committees, and responsible officers and loyal members to counteract every manifestation of communist influences within their unions; and to open the eyes of all work people to the dangerous subversive activities…”a later paragraph refers to their “evil machinations”

Communist activities examined issued Nov 24 1948

 How communists intrigue. (!)

“Craftily planned” “The successful working of these arrangements is secured only by the co-operation of individual trade unionists, not a few whom hold official positions in their unions" (like Bea)

The Communists in Britain

The Communist party of GB in August 1947 published a booklet entitled Looking ahead (check for this in daily worker and at BL) Dealing with the need for increased production.

“In short the communists have declared that not only will the recommend their supporters to reject the decision democratically reached at Congress, but that Communist Party members intend to do everything in their power to undermine those policies and create disaffection among the loyal membership by subversive tactics within the various unions affiliated to Congress.”

(Communist journal – world news and views – check for at BL)

“falsely stigmatised as people who have thrown aside trade union principles”

“Mr Palme Dutt, member of the Political Committee of the Communist Party… asserted that the overwhelming majority of delegates stood for, “the sanctity of profits, the foregoing of wage demands, co-operation with the master class, war on militant trade unionists, disruption of international unity and dependence on the American Colossus of Big Business” (which I think he’s probably right about.)

“The Communist Party’s General Secretary has also declared that the decisions of the Margate Congress will bring increase misery and poverty to millions of British working people”.

"It is a matter for consideration by the unions whether it is consistent with the obligations of loyalty to the policy of the union and to the Movement as a whole that any member should serve on these Communist Party industrial sub-committess or on the national committees of the Communist Party whilst holding executive or delegate office in the union".

This is the bit that was particularly relevant to Bea. The pamphlet let it sound like these people had no interest or experience in their profession, but were just their to cause trouble, subvert the good Americans, and should be gotten rid of because of their “evil” influence.

"When Trades Councils were again permitted in 1943 to accept delegates from TU branches who were members of Communist and Fascist organisations, it was in the nature of an experiment… "

This is interesting as it points out that within a year of being allowed to join the union in the first place Bea became president, which I think goes to show her unprecedented popularity, despite being a communist, and the sympathetic leanings of the general actors in Equity. Indeed when the vote came to get rid of any actors who had communist sympathies from positions the motion was not carried by Equity members in contradiction of what was recommended by the TUC.

So the upshot of this is that in just over a year of being allowed to join the Union, she became the first woman president, was president 3 years, then served on both committees, then was kicked out for being a communist and all reports of her political activism and writing disappeared. Personally I think this is a great tragedy, and am looking forward to finding some letters that will go into why this happened and her own thoughts on the matter.  It seems that from this point on she threw herself just into her acting, but I would like to find out what else is going on as presumably those thoughts had to then take action elsewhere, unless she was so disillusioned she thought any action at all would be pointless. However, the impression I have of her later is that she didn't seem that bitter.