Skip to main content
Little bread and a depressing royal circus
The traditional prescription to stave off revolt looks increasingly unfit for purpose — whether a socialist revolution is near or not, Elizabeth II's funeral will surely be the last monarchist outpouring of significant size, writes ANDREW MURRAY
Prince Harry in Helmand, presumably deciding whether to add another Afghan to his claimed 25-person death toll

IN 1919 the ruling class was worried. The end of World War I had developed into something close to a revolutionary situation in Britain as working-class militancy, the Russian example, rising anti-imperialist agitation in the colonies, discontented troops and economic dislocation combined to threaten the rule of the capitalist class.

Sir Basil Thomson, head of the intelligence and security services, reported to the Cabinet on the problems stirring up revolutionary feelings.

They included profiteering, bad housing, the foolish ostentation of the rich, “extreme” trade union leaders, a growing pro-Labour Party press, unemployment and the circulation of Marxist literature.

Lord Mandelson’s vested interests

Unite leader Sharon Graham deserves full support

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
A pregnancy test kit indicating pregnancy
Britain / 14 May 2025
14 May 2025
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden delivers a keynote speech to the CyberUK conference at the Central Convention Complex in Manchester, May 7, 2025
Civil Service / 14 May 2025
14 May 2025
Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (centre) takes part pro-Palestine march in central London, organised by a number of groups under the Palestine Coalition banner, March 15, 2025
Britain / 13 May 2025
13 May 2025
Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaking during a press conference on the Immigration White Paper in the Downing Street Briefing Room in London, May 12, 2025
Eyes Left / 14 May 2025
14 May 2025

Just as German Social Democrats joined the Nazis in singing Deutschland Uber Alles, ANDREW MURRAY observes how Starmer tries to out-Farage Farage with anti-migrant policies — but evidence shows Reform voters come from Tories, not Labour, making this ploy morally bankrupt and politically pointless

Similar stories
DODGY DUO: Pleased as Punch Peter Mandelson and Keir Starmer
Features / 7 March 2025
7 March 2025
You’ll never guess why a quick peace in Ukraine might be in the ambassador to Washington’s interests, writes SOLOMON HUGHES. Actually, of course you will – he stands to make a lot of money from his business links to Russia
Peter Mandelson at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hil
Britain / 20 December 2024
20 December 2024
Peter Mandelson, British Labour politician, arrives at a mem
Editorial: / 20 December 2024
20 December 2024
Demonstrators outside the Amba Hotel at Marble Arch, London,
Features / 10 September 2024
10 September 2024
TONY COLLINS looks at the evidence he has uncovered in his research on our early labour movement of deep and hostile police infiltration that ruined lives in the last century