Letter: Labour: the rebels without a clause
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.DONALD MACINTYRE is wrong to say that the annual membership cards of the Labour Party have included an excerpt from clause IV of the party constitution since 1918. ('Time to ask what's this clause IV', 21 February).
My annual membership card for 1952 made no reference to clause IV but included the following quotation from Keir Hardie: 'Perfect your organisation; educate your fellows; look to the register; spread the light; and the future is yours.'
It was not until the early 1960s that the excerpt from clause IV appeared on individual membership cards, and it is a matter of speculation as to whether this was to retaliate against Hugh Gaitskell for trying to scrap it.
At no time during my continued membership of the Labour Party have any but a few argued for anything other than the mixed economy. In this context clause IV remains a meaningless symbol.
C A Lyons
Hemel Hempstead
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments