Word: bevans
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...conference itself, Aneurin Bevan, the errant mate in Labor's house, started the fur flying with a pyrotechnic display of wit, venom, vituperation and mock humility. "The U.S.," he told the conferees, is "hagridden by fears: fear of war and unemployment, and fear of peace." He accused Churchill and the U.S. of tying Britain's "economy to a perpetual war machine. This is rake's progress." However, the pink-cheeked Welshman twinkled cheerfully as he castigated his private enemies and Britain's friends alike, "I know I must be careful, lest I make a controversial speech...
...Attleeites were still seething over Nye's performance next day when the results of partywide elections for membership in the new executive committee were announced. In the seven constituency elections, which are the best barometer of rank & file party sentiment, the Bevanites won six out of seven seats. Bevan himself got the biggest vote (965,000), followed by red-haired Barbara Castle (868,000) and cocky Tom Driberg (744,000). For the first time in 23 years, Attlee's faithful lieutenant, Herbert Morrison, the lifelong trade unionist who became Foreign Secretary, was voted off the executive...
Throughout the vote, Bevan sat smugly with lips pursed, eyes straight ahead and plump fingers tipped together. Morrison was motionless. Clement Attlee stared into space, lifeless as a wax model...
...Attlee defeat was not as bad as it sounded at first. Party machinery sets aside many votes to be cast in blocs by the trade unions and other special groups. These votes gave Attlee 21 seats on the executive as compared to Bevan's six. Attlee still runs the party, though his ineffectual resistance to Bevan at Morecambe cost him prestige. Herbert Morrison would continue on as Attlee's deputy leader in the House of Commons. "I will allow no bitterness to poison my soul," Morrison told the conference, in a moving speech which earned him renewed respect...
...Flushed with rage, Deakin cast all pretense at fraternity to the winds. "Organization was set up," he shouted, "to secure the Bevanites their place on the national executive. Very well, then, organization will be set up to counter them." This was equivalent to an open declaration of war on Bevan from the trade unions. "Tell him to sit down," shouted somebody, "he's losing us the next election...