You may see the emergence of a new political party from the body of the trade union movement which represents a very clear-cut socialist alternative policy and which gives expression to the views of the trade union movement in parliament.

I have never been an idealist - that implies you aren't going to achieve something.

All too often miners, and indeed other trade unionists, underestimate the economic strength they have.

The labour movement had the best opportunity in 50 years to transform not merely an industrial situation and win an important battle for workers in struggle, but an opportunity to change the government of the day.

Yet what you need is not marches, demonstrations, rallies or wide associations, all of them are important. What you need is direct action. The sooner people understand that, the sooner we'll begin to change things.

Parliament itself would not exist in its present form had people not defied the law.

My father still reads the dictionairy every day. He says your life depends on your power to master words