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From the archive, 27 March 1963: Unemployed try to storm parliament From the archive, 27 March 1963: Unemployed try to storm parliament
(6 months later)
The greatest demonstration of unemployed seen in this country since the thirties broke up in disorder yesterday afternoon after ugly scuffles with the police outside the Houses of Parliament. When it seemed possible that the crowd would breach the police cordon and rush into the central lobby of the House of Commons, a strong force of mounted police moved in and eventually restored a semblance of order. In doing so, the police incurred the wrath of the crowd. A loud chant of "Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil" began. Punches were exchanged, people fell down trying to escape the horses, policemen's helmets were knocked off, horse manure was thrown at the police. Nine people were arrested.The greatest demonstration of unemployed seen in this country since the thirties broke up in disorder yesterday afternoon after ugly scuffles with the police outside the Houses of Parliament. When it seemed possible that the crowd would breach the police cordon and rush into the central lobby of the House of Commons, a strong force of mounted police moved in and eventually restored a semblance of order. In doing so, the police incurred the wrath of the crowd. A loud chant of "Sieg Heil, Sieg Heil" began. Punches were exchanged, people fell down trying to escape the horses, policemen's helmets were knocked off, horse manure was thrown at the police. Nine people were arrested.
The disorder spread to Parliament Square. Two Rolls-Royces and a small car driven out of the House were kicked and damaged.The disorder spread to Parliament Square. Two Rolls-Royces and a small car driven out of the House were kicked and damaged.
This was not the type of publicity the organisers of the demonstration had either expected or wanted to achieve; it was to have been a desperately serious lobby by organised labour to protest about growing unemployment.This was not the type of publicity the organisers of the demonstration had either expected or wanted to achieve; it was to have been a desperately serious lobby by organised labour to protest about growing unemployment.
Some 7,000 trade unionists had arrived in London from all parts of Britain and Northern Ireland by special coaches and trains and some by air. Collections had been taken to pay for their fares and hundreds of demonstrators lucky enough to have jobs had taken the day off to support those who had not.Some 7,000 trade unionists had arrived in London from all parts of Britain and Northern Ireland by special coaches and trains and some by air. Collections had been taken to pay for their fares and hundreds of demonstrators lucky enough to have jobs had taken the day off to support those who had not.
They moved off in yesterday morning's rain, carrying banners, from Friends' House in Euston Road, where they had been told by Mr Fred Hayday, president of the TUC: "This country owes you something, because, by God, you helped to build it."They moved off in yesterday morning's rain, carrying banners, from Friends' House in Euston Road, where they had been told by Mr Fred Hayday, president of the TUC: "This country owes you something, because, by God, you helped to build it."
Almost immediately, however, there were signs of discontent with the police who insisted that the procession move off in batches, with long gaps between, in order to allow the traffic to flow as smoothly as possible. This tended to minimise the effect of the demonstration. It so annoyed the last contingent of several hundred men that they broke through a police cordon and set off before their time.Almost immediately, however, there were signs of discontent with the police who insisted that the procession move off in batches, with long gaps between, in order to allow the traffic to flow as smoothly as possible. This tended to minimise the effect of the demonstration. It so annoyed the last contingent of several hundred men that they broke through a police cordon and set off before their time.
"We want work," said the slogans on the banners. "Forty hour week means full employment," "Sack the Tories, not the workers," "Hailsham has five jobs, we have none," "Ban all over-time." There were apprentices, foremen, old age pensioners, a child in a pram, mill girls, foundry men, Labour MPs, Liberal trade unionists, wood workers. Workmen on a building site gave a special cheer for a group of Ford shop stewards."We want work," said the slogans on the banners. "Forty hour week means full employment," "Sack the Tories, not the workers," "Hailsham has five jobs, we have none," "Ban all over-time." There were apprentices, foremen, old age pensioners, a child in a pram, mill girls, foundry men, Labour MPs, Liberal trade unionists, wood workers. Workmen on a building site gave a special cheer for a group of Ford shop stewards.
Certainly, many of the demonstrators have good cause to be disappointed with the day's proceedings. A group of men from Merseyside told me that only three out of 12 local MPs had said they would be able to meet them.Certainly, many of the demonstrators have good cause to be disappointed with the day's proceedings. A group of men from Merseyside told me that only three out of 12 local MPs had said they would be able to meet them.
By the time the afternoon arrived there were undoubtedly some unruly elements in the crowd. The majority, however, were perfectly orderly, and were returning home tired and angry last night, angry that their main purpose in coming to London had been frustrated.By the time the afternoon arrived there were undoubtedly some unruly elements in the crowd. The majority, however, were perfectly orderly, and were returning home tired and angry last night, angry that their main purpose in coming to London had been frustrated.
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