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Chapter Nintey Seven
"Mr Benn, you've been considered the Leader of the 'Militant tendency' faction of the Labor Party. This has caused some discomfort among your peers-in Parliament or not-so you can explain why you, and not Mr Crosland or Mr Valery-those who take a centrist approach-are better for the position?"
"Well, it's not so much as a question of who's 'better'-I've seen the workings of bureaucracy to learn what counts as competent here in Westminster-but it's a question that we've battled over two years ago, the question of the future of the Party-whether we stand for true Socialism, or whether we stand for moderation on every issue that could benefit those that have elected us to office."
"Compromise, as I see it, was always necessary in politics."
"I refer to moderation in values. Matter of fact, the reason there is a 'militant tendency' is because so many have given up on the principles that our Party espoused for such a long time. It's a reaction, actually."
"Be that as it may, there's the question of electability?"
"I would not call Atlee as, say, a Militant, but his values were Socialistic, and it brought Labor to power."
"Well, it's not so much as a question of who's 'better'-I've seen the workings of bureaucracy to learn what counts as competent here in Westminster-but it's a question that we've battled over two years ago, the question of the future of the Party-whether we stand for true Socialism, or whether we stand for moderation on every issue that could benefit those that have elected us to office."
"Compromise, as I see it, was always necessary in politics."
"I refer to moderation in values. Matter of fact, the reason there is a 'militant tendency' is because so many have given up on the principles that our Party espoused for such a long time. It's a reaction, actually."
"Be that as it may, there's the question of electability?"
"I would not call Atlee as, say, a Militant, but his values were Socialistic, and it brought Labor to power."
- Israel
- Word Count: 200