The tensions which led to the general strike were exacerbated locally by the policies of the Brighton Corporation and the fears of members of the Middle Class Union. Their concerns, however, were misplaced: local socialists and unemployed people were not revolutionaries, and when the strike began on 4 May only 6000 workers, a small proportion of the town's workforce, came out. Of these, transport workers were seen to represent the greatest threat, and succeeded in stopping service on the town's external rail links and internal tramway.[1][2]
On 8 May, a group of strikers marched to the Town Hall in response to the council considering the use of volunteer labour on the trams, but were turned away by police at the entrance.[1][2] The police were supported by special constables known as "Black and Tans",[1] who included "farmers, sportsmen, hunting men, and retired cavalry officers".[3]
Confrontationedit
On 11 May, a group of middle-class volunteers, including some students, attempted to break the strike and to remove trams from the depot on Lewes Road. The volunteers were blocked by strikers and their families, and curious local residents also gathered.[1] Chief Constable Charles Griffin ordered the crowd to disperse, and on receiving no response ordered officers to advance on foot, backed up by special constables on horseback.[2] As the crowd was driven back towards Hollingdean Road fighting broke out[2] and, apparently without warning, the "Black and Tans" charged the crowd, striking out indiscriminately.[1] The strikers retaliated, but the crowd was successfully dispersed. Two were seriously injured and many others were hurt.[2] Seventeen strikers were arrested.[2]
Aftermathedit
The same night there was a further disturbance outside the Brighton and District Labour Club on London Road, following which another five people were arrested.[2] All 22 arrestees were imprisoned for an average of three months each.[1]
The general strike was called off the following day by the Trades Union Congress, and some transport workers who struck were not reinstated by their employers. A celebratory dinner was held for the benefit of the special constables.[2]
Significanceedit
The local authority saw the "Battle of Lewes Road" as having served to crush revolutionary politics in Brighton, while for working-class activists it was celebrated as a day of heroism and martyrdom.[1] Following the events, there was little complaint from workers about the regular police, but much about the allegedly politically motivated special constables.[4]
^ abcdefgLowerson, John (1980). A Short History of Sussex. Folkestone: Wm Dawson & Son Ltd. pp. 179–180. ISBN0712909486.
^ abcdefghCarder, Timothy (1990). "Tramways". The Encyclopedia of Brighton. Lewes: East Sussex County Libraries. Entry 185. ISBN0861473159.
^Walton, John K. (18 November 2000). The British Seaside: Holidays and Resorts in the Twentieth Century. Manchester: Manchester University Press. pp. 191–192. ISBN0719051703. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
^Fielding, Nigel (20 December 2005). The Police and Social Conflict. London: Routledge. p. 42. ISBN1904385230. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
December 14, 2023
battle, lewes, road, confused, with, battle, lewes, confrontation, which, took, place, brighton, during, 1926, united, kingdom, general, strike, contents, background, confrontation, aftermath, significance, also, referencesbackground, editthe, tensions, which,. Not to be confused with Battle of Lewes The Battle of Lewes Road was a confrontation which took place in Brighton during the 1926 United Kingdom general strike Contents 1 Background 2 Confrontation 3 Aftermath 4 Significance 5 See also 6 ReferencesBackground editThe tensions which led to the general strike were exacerbated locally by the policies of the Brighton Corporation and the fears of members of the Middle Class Union Their concerns however were misplaced local socialists and unemployed people were not revolutionaries and when the strike began on 4 May only 6000 workers a small proportion of the town s workforce came out Of these transport workers were seen to represent the greatest threat and succeeded in stopping service on the town s external rail links and internal tramway 1 2 On 8 May a group of strikers marched to the Town Hall in response to the council considering the use of volunteer labour on the trams but were turned away by police at the entrance 1 2 The police were supported by special constables known as Black and Tans 1 who included farmers sportsmen hunting men and retired cavalry officers 3 Confrontation editOn 11 May a group of middle class volunteers including some students attempted to break the strike and to remove trams from the depot on Lewes Road The volunteers were blocked by strikers and their families and curious local residents also gathered 1 Chief Constable Charles Griffin ordered the crowd to disperse and on receiving no response ordered officers to advance on foot backed up by special constables on horseback 2 As the crowd was driven back towards Hollingdean Road fighting broke out 2 and apparently without warning the Black and Tans charged the crowd striking out indiscriminately 1 The strikers retaliated but the crowd was successfully dispersed Two were seriously injured and many others were hurt 2 Seventeen strikers were arrested 2 Aftermath editThe same night there was a further disturbance outside the Brighton and District Labour Club on London Road following which another five people were arrested 2 All 22 arrestees were imprisoned for an average of three months each 1 The general strike was called off the following day by the Trades Union Congress and some transport workers who struck were not reinstated by their employers A celebratory dinner was held for the benefit of the special constables 2 Significance editThe local authority saw the Battle of Lewes Road as having served to crush revolutionary politics in Brighton while for working class activists it was celebrated as a day of heroism and martyrdom 1 Following the events there was little complaint from workers about the regular police but much about the allegedly politically motivated special constables 4 See also editHistory of BrightonReferences edit a b c d e f g Lowerson John 1980 A Short History of Sussex Folkestone Wm Dawson amp Son Ltd pp 179 180 ISBN 0712909486 a b c d e f g h Carder Timothy 1990 Tramways The Encyclopedia of Brighton Lewes East Sussex County Libraries Entry 185 ISBN 0861473159 Walton John K 18 November 2000 The British Seaside Holidays and Resorts in the Twentieth Century Manchester Manchester University Press pp 191 192 ISBN 0719051703 Retrieved 20 April 2012 Fielding Nigel 20 December 2005 The Police and Social Conflict London Routledge p 42 ISBN 1904385230 Retrieved 20 April 2012 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of Lewes Road amp oldid 1180926818, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
