Alfred Edwards (politician) - Steel Nationalisation

Steel Nationalisation

In 1948 Edwards hit trouble with his party over its proposal to nationalise the iron and steel industry. He spoke out against the proposal, based on his experience in the industry; which his local party felt was going back on election pledges to support it. In April 1948, the local party passed a resolution declaring that they had lost all confidence in him and calling on him to resign his seat. Edwards declared he would ignore the resolution. He intensified his criticism, describing the Civil service and efficiency as a contradiction in terms.

The Labour Party called Edwards before a board of the National Executive Committee to explain himself, and the party General Secretary Morgan Phillips wrote to him asking for a written undertaking about his future political conduct. Edwards failed to give a satisfactory response and was expelled from the party on 16 May 1948.