The British trade unionist and Labour MP A. A. Purcell (1872-1935) once enjoyed international notoriety. An outspoken champion of Soviet Russia, he nevertheless performed the highest labour movement responsibilities and was a leading figure on the TUC General Council. Purcell was a member of the earliest British labour delegations to Russia and his presidency of the International Federation of Trade Unions coincided with the TUC's energetic promotion of the cause of Anglo-Russian trade union unity, culminating in the publication of a glowing TUC report on the Soviets in 1925. However, as a leading TUC 'left' his credibility was badly dented by the failure of the General Strike in 1926, and the following year he lost his position with the IFTU. He ended his career in the relative obscurity of the Manchester and Salford Trades Council.
About the AuthorKevin Morgan is Professor of Politics and Contemporary History at the University of Manchester. He is the author of Harry Pollitt and co-author of Communists in British Society 1920-1991.
Book InformationISBN 9781905007271
Author Kevin MorganFormat Paperback
Page Count 480
Imprint Lawrence & Wishart LtdPublisher Lawrence & Wishart Ltd