Labour and the Outbreak of War, Summer 1939, Part I
Unlike other foreign policy issues during the 1930s, the decision to oppose military conscription was uncontroversial. It was perhaps the only foreign policy issue that trade unionists and left-wing intellectuals agreed on throughout the entire decade. Aneurin Bevan, a member of Sir Stafford Cripps' Popular Front Campaign, argued that:
...once you have conscription, the generals and the brass hats will be charge of the whole of the resources of the country, and we already know how abysmally stupid they will be in circumstances of that kind. It is interesting to note that one of the principal means for defending democracy in this country will be the immediate abandonment of democratic rights on the part of the population.
[7]
He also argued that conscription would not serve to provide the military resources needed to carry on a war, but rather would be used to keep the working-classes docile. [8]
The right-wing trade unionist faction of the Labour Party also shared many of the same concerns. James Griffiths summed up the trade unionist position best by saying:
- We have now been told that the plans are ready which will destroy the trade union movement and bring in industrial conscription, for that is what they mean in effect... [Inskip] [the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence] said, "we are appealing for your help now, but our plans are ready and you will be conscripted when the time comes." [9]
Though Labour's opposition to military conscription was probably inappropriate in mid-1939 in the context of the menacing course of events, the decision was deeply rooted in both Labour Party history and in Labour's complete lack of trust in the National Government. [10] Even so,t eh decision was viciously attacked then and continues to be today. Anthony Eden has characterized it as "the worst mark" in Labour's conduct before the war. [11] The decision was seen as proof the Party was still "pacifist." Both critiques were wrong.
Despite the emergency situation, the National Government's conscription plans were not well-thought out. They were pushed barely three months after a voluntary plan, negotiated with the trade nions, was first implemented. Ernest Bevin was so enthusiastic about that plan that he sat on the central committee which administered it. [12] Thus, he was obviously angered when the Government decided to act behind his back In addition, Chamberlain's sell-out to the Czechs and the National Government's acquiescence of Japanese, Italian, and Nazi aggressions during the 1930s
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