RIP Michael Foot (1913-2010) A true socialist, true to himself and the movement
March 3, 2010
The way the Murdoch press treated him was an absolute disgrace. If only he had won in 1983. If only… A man who took such awful criticism from both sides of the house, usually hidden away with conspiracy, but always managed to stick to his beliefs, his principles and that of the movement. If only we had more politicians like him. True socialist, true speaker, true principles, true brilliance. You will be missed.
“I think the House of Lords ought to be abolished and I don’t think the best way for me to abolish it is to go there myself” - On his departure from the House of Commons, 1992.
“Most liberties have been won by people who broke the law” -Interview in 1980.
“Socialism without public ownership is nothing but a fantastic apology” - In the Daily Herald, 1956.
One Comment
leave one →
Foot knew Orwell. And had read 1984. But was still an optimist. Why?
Possibly because of this much overlooked get-out-clause in Goldstein’s ‘Book’.
“”They (the proletarians) could only become dangerous if the advance of industrial technique made it necessary to educate them more highly…”
The internet is the ultimate educational technology, which expands to fill the use and curiousity available, and is now invaluable to the efficient management of the modern state. And any attempts to limit it to the elite are futile. Surely Orwell would have seen the opportunity