The Benn Diaries: 1940-1990

by Benn, Tony

  Tuesday 30 June

  This evening Tam Dalyell and I wandered round the House of Lords’ end of the building to find out just what accommodation was available there if the Commons were to take it over. We walked along deserted corridors, looking in offices and making a note of the accommodation. We stumbled on the Civil Defence Room and found on the wall huge charts showing the rooms on each floor and roughly specifying their purpose. We were going to copy them all down but it would have been too big a job. What is needed is a photograph of them or to go along with a tape recorder and read off all the names on to a machine. At one stage we were stopped by a policeman who sent us away. Then we met a custodian – Mr Wilkinson, who used to be a dustman at Grosvenor Road when I was a child – and he took us and showed us many other rooms. I have arranged to go and see the whole palace one night with him. What is required is a blazing attack on the whole system.

  Thursday 2 July

  A huge row has developed about my nocturnal prowlings with Tam Dalyell around the Lords. The Lord Great Chamberlain wrote to the Serjeant-at-Arms and it was reported to Bowden, who went to see Harold. Harold said that we should apologise to the Lord Great Chamberlain. Bowden asked us to do so. Tam and I refused. We are circulating a motion as follows:

  Control of the Palace of Westminster

  That an humble address be presented to Her Majesty praying that the control of the Royal Palace of Westminster be transferred to a House of Commons Commission under the chairmanship of Mr Speaker; and to amend the powers of the Lord Great Chamberlain accordingly.

  We plan to make this into a backbench revolt on 13 July, when accommodation is discussed. Harold takes no interest in this point and has got to be forced to realise that it is a live issue.

  To the BBC this evening to do the debate with Eden. It was the usual predigested spot-timed cockfight.

  Monday 13 July

  This afternoon Dick Crossman went to see Harold and he told Dick that he was going to make me Postmaster-General, give me a chance there for eighteen months and then to the Ministry of Transport. I have no idea whether this is true or not (not Dick’s story, of course, but Harold’s intention). If it is, I don’t think there’s much point in sweating my guts out on transport policy between now and the Election. I’ll borrow a book on the Post Office and take it on holiday instead. It would be a most interesting job to have and if I got it it would be attributable entirely to the memorandum I wrote to Harold last October. Such are the uncertainties of politics. But it is the first time that it has even been indicated officially that I am going to get anything.

  Thursday 16 July

  To the Commons and started looking through all the books on the Post Office. Most of the histories were written in the last century or the 1920s. It confirms my impression that the GPO has not (except possibly when Marples was PMG) been an up-to-date, go-ahead organisation.

  Friday 17 July

  Caroline and I went to Durham and attended the pre-Gala dinner. Also there were Harold Wilson, Frank Cousins, Will Paynter, Sam Watson and others.

  At dinner I could hear Sam asking Harold who would be doing what in the Labour Government and I could just hear Harold giving some names. Afterwards when I was alone Harold came up to me and said, ‘Tony, I thought it would be helpful if you knew that I want you to be Postmaster-General in the Government.’

  I wasn’t, of course, at all surprised, since Dick had told me this on Monday. It is a job I would very much like to have, but seemingly Harold thought I would be very disappointed at not being Minister of Transport to which I could reasonably lay some claim and which had confidently been expected by all the papers predicting the Government he would set up. He also knew that it was not a Cabinet job and therefore went out of his way to repeat what he had said before to me, that this was only for eighteen months. ‘My real Cabinet will be made in 1966 – just as Clem’s was made in 1947,’ he said.

  He told me that Frank Cousins would be Minister of Transport and he also told me the names of a number of other appointments. Frank Soskice for the Home Office (if he lives), Tony Greenwood for the Colonies, Sir Hugh Foot (with a peerage) to the UN, Gerald Gardiner on the Woolsack, Peggy Herbison at Pensions, Barbara Castle (in the Cabinet) at Overseas Aid.

  I asked about the Assistant Postmaster General and he said that it would be Joe Slater, his PPS, who is very nice. Roy Mason is to go as Minister of State shared between Dick Crossman at Education and Science and the Minister of Labour to deal with retraining. Dick’s other Ministers are to be Reg Prentice for schools and Lord Bowden for universities.

  Harold stressed that I would be the only one of the newcomers to be head of a department, ie a departmental Minister of Cabinet rank, though outside the Cabinet, and that he thought that would be extremely important with University of the Air to launch and the Giro system to introduce. I reminded him that I had sent him a memo on the Post Office last November and he said he remembered it but had intended this earlier. ‘I had thought of you doing a Bill Deedes – PRO for the Government – but decided against it.’ I told him I was very glad he had as it is a job I would hate.

  Wednesday 22 July

  Caroline, Melissa and Joshua came to the House of Commons for tea on the terrace today. Afterwards they all went into the House of Commons just as Churchill was leaving the debate. It will be quite a thing for them to be able to say that they actually saw Churchill. If they live to be ninety – his age – they will be saying in 2040 that they remember seeing a man who was elected to Parliament 150 years before.

  This evening to Broadcasting House to help Denis Healey do a party political broadcast on Labour defence policy.

  Friday 31 July – Saturday 1 August

  To celebrate the beginning of the holiday I slept in the garden with Stephen and Hilary and we ate sausages and had a hurricane lamp. Tommy Balogh phoned. Ian Grimble came for lunch. The trouble is you can’t cut the phone off. Started work on sticking in the family snapshots since 1959.

  Monday 10 August

  To Transport House this afternoon to see the set which has been prepared for the Election broadcasts. Then to the House of Commons to see Harold Wilson, who had flown back from the Scilly Isles today in view of the serious crises in Vietnam and Cyprus. He looked fit and well. We are saying nothing about Cyprus because there is nothing to be said, and on Vietnam we are terrified of saying anything that might upset the Americans. The British Government needs American support against Sukarno, who is attacking Malaysia and Wilson is particularly anxious not to upset Johnson at this stage. That is the way politics go.

  Thursday 10 September

  Valerie worked all day on Election preparations. She is checking through the list of Party members that I had, to see if they are still on the register and to put in Christian names and correct addresses. Meanwhile I have prepared a pile of material to go to them. The first is a letter telling them how important the campaign is and this is accompanied by the fact-sheet on conditions in Bristol, and a summary of the Election manifesto. Also going in is a Help card addressed to me for return and an excellent card on my advice service.

  Tuesday 15 September

  Worked in the office this morning. The first edition of the new Sun newspaper was published today – after a huge press and advertising ballyhoo build-up. It is appalling. It is slightly bigger than the Herald but basically the same – minus the limited Herald political content. It is a pale wishy-washy imitation of the Daily Mail and I don’t honestly see how it can survive as a daily. It is the product of market research, without any inner strength and message. There is little hard news – pages of fluffy features and nothing hard to bite on. I am afraid that it may not be as much of a help to us between now and polling day as we had hoped.

  To Bristol this afternoon and had a surgery and then went back to Unity House to discuss the Election plans with Herbert Rogers. The fact is that he has been able to do practically nothing and all the work on the Election which is being done in London by Valer
ie is going to be essential.

  This afternoon the Prime Minister announced the date of the Election: which is to be Thursday 15 October, as we had all anticipated for so long.

  This evening Peter Shore limped to Stepney again and was adopted as the candidate. I am delighted. Even though he is clearly a sick man and will need at least a month’s complete rest he will be an MP at the end of it, whatever he does.

  Wednesday 23 September

  Harold Wilson phoned at 10.30 pm last night – and I was in bed – to say that my press release had been on the news and how effective it had been. He has never rung me at home and I have no doubt that he did it because I had been to complain yesterday about the broadcasting position, and he wanted to keep me sweet.

  Dick and Tommy and I have to pretend we don’t exist. Kennedy never minded it being known that he had speech writers and advisers, but Harold does. It’s very silly but I know that my capacity to influence him depends upon total self-erasure. Dick finds this unbearable and is always leaking how central he is.

  To see Harold at 11 and went over his future speeches. He couldn’t have been more friendly.

  Monday 5 October

  To Lime Grove for the preparation of the Labour Party Election broadcast. It was an incredible afternoon. Dick Crossman, Michael Stewart and Kenneth Robinson were the principal participants. Shirley Williams was to link it. Everything went wrong and we had to reshoot many of the bits twice and even three times. Michael and Kenneth were delightful but Dick Crossman got into a tremendous temper and stamped up and down, shouting and swearing at everybody for having been kept waiting. He really is the most appalling prima donna. After he had recorded his piece he apologised, and then stayed for a drink and by the time he finally left, at 7.45, he had resumed his aggressive posture.

  I went to Television Centre to be there while the editing took place and was then told that they had not had time to make the cuts and joins required and that it was quite possible that the film would break down. At 9.15 I returned to Lime Grove, was put in the set which was lighted and the whole crew was standing by. I had to watch the programme on a monitor and if at any point it broke, the camera was to come to me and I had to carry on as best I could until they could find a part of the tape which was good, in which case I was to hand back to it. It was the most appalling sweat and strain sitting there watching, expecting a break at any moment. In the event, one didn’t happen and I got back home at about 10 o’clock, really washed out.

  Friday 16 October

  The result was declared about 1.15 and I had a majority of 9,800 – 4,000 better than last time. There were quite a few people in the street for the declaration and then we were towed in the traditional way, sitting on top of our car up to the Walter Baker Hall. After that we went to BBC Bristol for a television insert into the results programme. Then on to the TWW interview, followed by a radio interview and finally got to bed about 4.30. It is dear that Labour is winning.

  Up at 8 and drove home listening to the results programme on the radio all the way. Lunch at London Airport and home by 2.30. There is an overall Labour majority of four only. Home has resigned the premiership and Harold Wilson has formed a government. We’ve waited thirteen years for this.

  4

  1964–66

  Sunday 18 October

  ONE OF THE oldest jokes in politics is about hopeful candidates for office who stay by their telephones when a new government is formed, just like husbands waiting for their wives to have their first babies. For both it’s awful.

  The TV and news bulletins kept describing people who were turning up at Number 10 and I was getting gloomier and gloomier and planning a completely new life. Then at 4.45 Number 10 phoned. Would I stand by for tonight or tomorrow morning. It was a great relief. I worked till about 2 am, reading all the Post Office stuff that I had collected and just couldn’t go to sleep.

  Monday 19 October

  Up early and still waiting for the phone and still hearing of other people going down to Downing Street. I had completely given up hope again. Then at 10.55 am the phone rang and I was summoned.

  There was a huge crowd of photographers outside and inside Bob Mellish and Lord Bowden were waiting. Finally I went in and there was Harold looking extremely relaxed. I shook him by the hand and we had a chat about the general situation and then he said, ‘By the way, I want you to take the Post Office. I am giving you Joe Slater as Assistant PMG. Then in about eighteen months time I shall be reshuffling the Government and you will be in the Cabinet.’

  Then he beckoned me over to the window, and pointed into the garden of No. 11. ‘Look at that. It’s the last of Reggie Maudling’s luggage going,’ he said with schoolboy enthusiasm. He told me he didn’t know yet whether PMGs were Privy Councillors but that I would be one if it was customary.

  I asked his Private Secretary to ring the Post Office and tell them I was coming. I told the press that all I could say was that I hadn’t been made a peer. I then went to a call box and phoned Mother, came home and after lunch telephoned the Post Office and asked for the PMG’s office. ‘What’s your name?’ asked a gruff voice. I gave it and a few minutes later came a different and oily voice: ‘Good afternoon, PMG. I think the DG wants to speak to you.’ A minute later the Director-General came on the phone, said he had a lunch appointment and would come to see me at 3 o’clock. I said I would like a car to take me there immediately.

  Wednesday 21 October

  At 11.30 I had to go to the Privy Council Office for a rehearsal of the ceremony of admission into the Privy Council. We were greeted by the most awful stoogey-looking people, real Crown Office – House of Lords types. Among those there were Peggy Herbison, Kenneth Robinson, Roy Jenkins, Charlie Pannell and Elwyn Jones. I asked Elwyn if he was going to be knighted. He said yes, and I said, ‘I’m sorry to hear it.’

  We were summoned in one by one to the Queen’s drawing room and she shook us by the hand. Then we stood in a row and the oath was administered to those who were swearing, whereas Kenneth Robinson, Charlie Pannell and I affirmed. I think they are atheists. I did it because I disapprove of a religious oath for any but religious purposes and because I wanted to pay a tribute to Charles Bradlaugh, who had fought four elections to establish this right.

  We then went up to the Queen one after another, kneeling and picking up her hand and kissing it, and then bowing. I did the most miniature bow ever seen and returned to my line. When it was over she made a couple of remarks and we all walked by and shook hands. After that I had the oath of the Postmaster General administered to me. I left the Palace boiling with indignation and feeling that this was an attempt to impose tribal magic and personal loyalty on people whose real duty was only to their electors.

  Thursday 22 October

  Ron Smith, General Secretary of the Union of Post Office Workers, came to lunch.

  We talked for nearly three hours, having lunched together in the staff cafeteria. I have met him once or twice but this was the first proper chance for a talk. He is a powerful man physically and temperamentally and one felt one was rubbing against granite. He wants me to meet the UPW Executive soon – with my wife – for lunch and an informal chat.

  We had a completely informal discussion about pay and conditions. He said that the work conditions of postmen were very poor, especially in the older offices such as Mount Pleasant. All the capital investment had gone into telecommunications and the postal services were the Cinderella left to rot.

  Friday 23 October

  I am anxious to make some economies in the huge personal staff to offset the expenditure that the Office is going to incur in providing me with a dictating machine and modern office equipment.

  I had a talk to my Private Secretary, Mr Tilling about this today and he told me that as we were in effect treated as a nationalised industry we were free from Treasury control and he was rather in favour of us organising ourselves along modern lines. There is no reason why the Post Office should be lumbering on using the te
chniques and filing systems of the Twenties. It is a modern communication industry and should reflect this in its practice.

  I drafted a message to all Post Office staff which is to be circulated to them. This is really in the nature of an ‘Order of the Day’. Tilling suggested toning it down slightly as he thought it too heady a draught of wine. I agreed. After three or four days I am getting to like Tilling. He comes from a Post Office family – like so many people who work here – is free from the usual Civil Service rubbish and has a very dry sense of humour. His caution is also a good thing in damping down my over-enthusiasm.

  Saturday 24 October

  Began sorting out all the papers in my office. I intend to bombard each department with a barrage of minutes and requests and questions and see how things work. I must also begin to do some serious basic thinking about major fields of policy – like broadcasting – for which I am responsible. Meanwhile I must somehow try to dear the tons of mail which are waiting for me to handle.

  Saturday 31 October

  Caroline and I went to Bristol this morning and Mr Tilling came with us on the train. In Bristol we were met by the Regional Director, Mr Scott, and spent the morning with him and his staff. At the end of this talk, after hearing all his problems, I asked Mr Scott, ‘What would you like me, as Postmaster-General, to do?’ ‘Frankly, Minister, sit quiet,’ he said. For about two weeks this has been hinted at broadly to me by all the people with whom I’ve come in contact and now at least someone has had the guts to say it out loud. It was a significant comment.

  Wednesday 4 November

  After a quick lunch I went to the Post Office for a meeting with the staff associations. This was instead of the sherry party which is traditionally held by an incoming Postmaster-General. I had written them all a letter explaining that I preferred to have a working meeting over a cup of tea. I gave them all a copy of our manifesto, ‘The New Britain’. I told them I have presented each director in the Post Office with it as well and the meeting almost broke up with astonishment and suppressed laughter. But the reason for it is obvious and it was right to have done it.