19.06.1997

Prepare for action

From The Call, paper of the British Socialist Party, June 14 1917

[1,200 delegates, representing organisations including local Labour Parties, trades councils, the Independent Labour Party and the BSP, attended the Leeds Convention on June 2 1917. Inspired by the February Revolution in Russia, they agreed to establish a Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Council in Britain and Ireland.]

The Provisional Committee of the Workmen’s and Soldiers’ Council is im­mediately issuing to all the organisations represented at the magnificent and inspiring Leeds Convention a statement outlining the preliminary steps to be taken to give effect to the decisions of the Convention.

The first step is the division of the area of Great Britain and Ireland into 13 districts so that 13 directly elected representatives shall be added to the Provi­sional Committee. In each district a district conference will be held in a Satur­day in July. All the organisations represented at Leeds are urged energetically to exercise all their power and influence so that these district conferences shall be overwhelmingly successful.

All socialist, labour and democratic organisations, political and industrial - including workshop committees and committees of shop stewards - are re­quested at once to get into communication with the Provisional Committee and to let it know approximately how much support is assured. All delegates to the Leeds Convention are being urged to work through their organisations to secure coordination in promoting huge mass demonstrations in the various towns throughout the country. Central local organisations - such as trades coun­cils and local Labour Parties - are specially requested to take the initiative in organising demonstrations and in developing an intensive propagandist cam­paign through the branches of the trade unions.

The Provisional Committee will shortly issue a statement of policy based upon the resolutions passed at Leeds. This policy will only be successful if the workers themselves pursue it with boldness and resolution. The Provisional Committee can only make suggestions. The real work must be carried out by the workers.

Now is the time for all class conscious workers to prepare for decisive action - to agitate, educate and organise with unprecedented energy and zeal. No better or nobler task - no more essential or fruitful task - can at this moment be undertaken than the careful and consistent propaganda of the principles of social democracy.

The mass of the workers are lacking in socialist consciousness. They are op­pressed by forces they do not understand. They desire freedom from wage slavery, but do not know how to obtain it. Only those with a clear understand­ing of the socialist position can effectively pave the way to the social revolution. Revolutionary action without that understanding is sure to be abortive and disastrous. Let there be no mistake about that.

All socialists must now carry on their work with an enthusiasm, vigour and determination never shown before, particularly in the workshops, mines and mills - amongst the workers in the essential industries.

Workshop committees ought to be formed, where none already exist, for the express purpose, in addition to remedying immediate industrial grievances, of spreading socialist enlightenment. Individual socialists resident in districts where no branch of the BSP exists ought immediately to start one; where branches exist, every effort must be made to secure new members. Not a moment must be lost. The time is ripe. The opportunity is here. The hour of the social revo­lution is close upon us. We dare not fail.

All Europe will soon be following in the wake of Russia. The cry for peace, the cry for bread, the cry for vengeance on the war lords and the culprits responsible for the hideous slaughter is rapidly transforming itself into one immense demand for the complete overthrow of the ruling classes of all countries. This demand will be followed by action.

The workers of this country must not lag behind, must not be a drag on the Interna­tional, must not be wanting in purpose, resolution and audacity.

Tom Quelch