Just Finished Reading: When the Clyde Ran Red – A Social History of Red Clydeside by Maggie Craig (FP: 2011) [301pp]

As the 19^th century progressed the already industrialised area around Glasgow in Scotland – Clydeside – exploded in activity with everything from shipbuilding to the new Singer sewing machine factory complex producing wealth on truly staggering level. Little of this wealth, however, trickled down to the men and women who laboured long hours in often dangerous conditions to produce it. Labour was in the early stages of organisation and new Trades Unions began to make their demands on working hours, safety and wages. Not surprisingly these, often very limited demands, fell on deaf ears and more often than not resulted in banning of unions, sacking of ‘trouble makers’ and lockouts. Living on the very edge of financial security such actions could push whole families into a state of destitution and abject poverty. There were, as always, two ways to proceed – give in or fight. Whilst not always successful the Clydesiders chose, when pushed, to fight. This is their story – or indeed whole host of stories – from the Singer Strike of 1911 over wages and conditions, to the shop girls who worked 12-14 hour days with a 20-30 minute lunch break, no opportunity to sit down and often no toilet facilities (to say nothing of minimal wages). This was the story of the beginnings of the Labour Party in Scotland that came into being – along with the great Labour founders such as Keir Hardie and Ramsey MacDonald (the first Labour Prime Minister) – to address those issues the existing Liberal Party either could not or would not. This was the story of the Red Scare of 1919 when the British government, terrified of a Bolshevik Revolution on the streets of Glasgow had tanks on those streets to prevent it happening. This was the story of support for the General Strike of 1926 and for the International Brigades who fought in the Spanish Civil War and much else besides.

Told with passion by a local author who grew up in that community and whose relatives and ancestors were part of the story itself this was an interesting insight to events over the last 100 years that shaped a region and a movement for the protection of working people and improvement of their living conditions which were often unbelievably dire with high infant mortality, low life expectancy and other problems associated with poverty and harsh working conditions. I know a little about Scotland and somewhat more about the early days of the Labour Party but this narrative took you down onto the streets, into the slums and factories and onto the dockyards where the late effects of the Industrial Revolution had created both great wealth and great suffering. Definitely an interesting and informative read especially if you’re interested in Labour history and the growth of Socialism in industrial areas. More on this area to come!