ABSTRACT
This chapter encompasses the whole range of Conservative attitudes towards the trade unions, ranging from repression born of fear, toleration or grudging acceptance, more positive attempts at incorporation, and indifference or non-commitment. Another issue which often caused tension between the British Conservatism and trade unionism concerns the professed political objectives and loyalties of the unions, namely the tendency to espouse generally left-wing principles, and/or affiliation to the Labour Party. While often denouncing, particularly through speeches and resolutions at the respective conferences, the iniquities of capitalism and the greed or selfishness of big business and those earning enormous salaries from the sweat and toil of industrial workers. There was, however, one particular aspect of trade unionism which did offend most Conservatives during the first quarter of the twentieth century, namely the political levy, whereby many trade unions utilised a small proportion of their members annual subscription fee to finance a separate political fund.
