Red Clydeside

Key political figures of the Red Clydeside period

Warrant to summon James Maxton to appear at Central Police Court, Glasgow

21 Dec 1915

On 12 December 1915, a large open-air demonstration was held in George Square in Glasgow to protest against the threatened introduction of conscription. Open-air meetings were called because the city authorities refused to let halls to socialist organisations for anti-war or anti-conscription meetings. All the major socialist parties were represented including the British Socialist Party and the Independent Labour Party, and it is reported that a crowd of several thousand were in attendance.

All the speakers were booked by the police on the grounds that they were guilty of causing obstruction and so prevented traffic and pedestrians from going about their lawful business. All charges were later dropped against the speakers as the meeting passed off peacefully and the weight of evidence suggested that no obstruction was caused.

It is interesting to note the names of those booked on the day, as most went on to play significant roles in British Labour politics as well as becoming well-known national figures: James Maxton, Manny Shinwell, Patrick Dollan, Arthur McManus, John Maclean, Willie Gallacher, Harry Hopkins and John S Taylor.

Source: Maxton Papers, Glasgow City Archives