THE life of former Communist Party general secretary Harry Pollitt was commemorated in Droylsden in Tameside, Greater Manchester, today.

And a Communist Party candidate in Thursday’s general election quoted from Pollitt’s own general election address to the people of Seaham in County Durham when he stood for election as an MP in 1929.

Pollitt grew up and became politically active in Droylsden.

Dan Ross, Communist Party candidate for Bury South, said: “This year, the Communist Party is standing its largest slate of election candidates in a generation.

“Pollitt was not enamoured with the idea of getting into parliament.

“But he made clear the invaluable means, that taking part in election campaigns bring before workers the radical, transformative and revolutionary programme of the Communist Party.

“That is what we are doing today.”

Pollitt was Communist Party general secretary from 1929-1939 and 1941-1956.

He died on June 27 1960.

Droylsden Library has a memorial plaque to him.