ABSTRACT
I have often been asked why do Labour leaders show such hatred towards the Communists? Why do so many of them betray the movement? The answer to this is simple. It is because their social relations and social life is in such sharp contradiction to the impulse of the movement of which they have become leaders. Always, members of the middle class have seen the advantage of using the working class in order to force concessions from the big bourgeoisie. But always they have been afraid of the working class getting out of hand. A well-behaved working class, responsive to the guiding hand of the ‘better educated’ middle class is the ideal for which they aim. So periodically these well-disposed gentlemen will speak at a public meeting and identify themselves with the aims and desires of the workers; that is essential if they are to get the support of the workers for their aims and desires. Being so much better fitted for the job, on account of their greater experience and higher education, they will graciously agree to represent the workers in Parliament. But all the time, between periodic meetings, their social life is something entirely apart from the workers and the movement which the workers with so much sacrifice have sought to build. This social life of theirs, so pleasant, so interesting and in many ways so indolent, must on no account be disturbed by wild, uncontrolled action on the part of the working class. On the other hand, if the big bourgeoisie becomes too rapacious, a clash is almost sure to follow. They have a double task, therefore, to persuade the big bourgeoisie to moderate their exploitation and to keep the workers under control while their persuasive powers are operating.
