The sad demise of Liverpool Trades Council

In a city where the Labour Party was uniquely weak in municipal politics for most of the 20th century (Liverpool City Council was Conservative controlled as late as the mid 1960's), it was from Liverpool Trades Council where the organised working class received its political leadership.

From its foundation in 1848 as the first British trades council (Liverpool Trades Guardian Association), it had a rich and colourful history documented in 'Building the union studies on the growth of the worker's movement: Merseyside 1756 - 1967 which was published in 1973 to commemorate its 125th anniversary. http://www.alibris.co.uk/search/books/isbn/9780950231938?cid=null

In its heyday it was able to mobilise thousands of workers for its May Day marches and rallies at the Pier Head.

So it was a sorry sight to witness the pathetically small numbers turned out at the 'pre-Congress rally' held at the Pier Head on Sunday.
In clashing with the official TUC annual Congress pensioners rally the organisers showed no respect for the legacy of the late Jack Jones - who as a young worker in the early 1930's was a delegate to Liverpool Trades Council. http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/apr/26/jack-jones-spanish-civil-war

And who can be surprised at the derisory turnout when the speakers included a former member of UNISON expelled for financial irregularities and misuse of resources for political activities as well as a current NEC member part way through a disciplinary process? Exactly what relevance internal business of UNISON has to Congress is best known only to the 'rally' organisers? They did not afford UNISON or the TUC the courtesy of an explanation for their choice of speakers.

Distorted versions of events from individuals speaking in a 'personal capacity' may satisfy the urgings of the ultra left string pullers but it's no wonder more delegates took the opportunity to take a lunchtime ride on the Mersey Ferry than bothered to listen to those howling at the midday sun.