The third of a four-part biographical programme produced by Trade Films, about the Lawther family of Chopwell in what was then County Durham. Marxist historian Ray Challinor sits down with surviving brothers Andy and Jack Lowther to discuss the end of the 1926 lockout in Chopwell, their decision to emigrate to Canada, their reasons for returning to England, their reactions to the formation of the National Government of 1932. Jack's union activities in the Union of Railwaymen and Busmen,...

The third of a four-part biographical programme produced by Trade Films, about the Lawther family of Chopwell in what was then County Durham. Marxist historian Ray Challinor sits down with surviving brothers Andy and Jack Lowther to discuss the end of the 1926 lockout in Chopwell, their decision to emigrate to Canada, their reasons for returning to England, their reactions to the formation of the National Government of 1932. Jack's union activities in the Union of Railwaymen and Busmen, Andy's experiences of unemployment under the Means Test, and their reactions to the Spanish Civil War which cost the life of brother Cliff. Title: The Northern Film and T.V. Archive Title: Lessons of the Class Struggle Credit: Andy and Jack Lawther interviewed by Ray Challinor Title: Part Three. On The Blacklist In the aftermath of the General Strike Andy and Jack Lawther talk about themselves and the union being in very difficult and disparate positions: Jack was at this time, a bus conductor, and Andy was under police supervision having just been released from prison. Andy describes the Durham Miners as "still standing solid". However, the miners had made many concessions, and working hours had been lengthened and benefits cut. The union branches had been weakened. Later, in 1960, a blacklist came into possession of the Andy (with Jack’s name on and several other members of the Lawther family), transpiring that anyone that had taken part in industrial action would not be offered more work, In 1927 Andy and Jack Lawther "and hundreds of others left the village altogether", leaving the country for Canada. Andy elaborates on his reason for leaving, notably, refuting any notion of personal advantage in terms of wealth: "… it wasn’t a pull factor, the attraction of high wages in the new world; it was merely the push, the fact that you couldn’t get work in the North East of a satisfactory character". Having met a representative of the Canadian National Railways, Andy and Jack left the country to apply for two jobs "ten days after the closing date" on a farm and later to work in drift mines. Of the latter, Andy became the Chairman of a local union branch. Jack returned to England just before Andy. Andy stresses that the harsh winters were a strong incentive to return home. Jack started a retail business with a bakery, buying a van with money had saved while in Canada. Andy found temporary work in London as a construction worker, but which ended abruptly due to an injury. Andy talks about other members of the Lawther family during this period including their brother Will who became Member of Parliament for Barnard Castle from 1929 until 1931. Following a discussion about Labour's defeat in the general election in 1931. Jack went back on the buses working for United, he talks about the fight for union recognition and a first agreement with the company in 1936 as well as his contribution to the formation of Busman’s Union separate from the railwaymen in 1943. Andy married in 1933 but found himself unemployed and a victim of new means tested benefits provision imposed by the government. By now the family name had gained some notoriety and it was often very hard for them to secure full time employment. In the final part of this tape Andy and Jack talk about their brother Cliff who in 1937, was killed fighting for the International Brigade in the Spanish Civil War during the Battle of Jarama. They talk about following Cliff’s death the families’ efforts to help Spain and to fight against fascism. Credits: Camera Peter Roberts Sound Graham Denman V.T.R Recordist Peter Woodhouse Title: We would like to thank Beamish Museum, Durham Miners’ Association, Gateshead Central Library, Newcastle Central Library, Northumberland County Records Office, Sarah Shaw Title: Made under the terms of the A.C.T.T. Workshop Declaration, and with the financial assistance of Channel Four and the British Film Institute. End title: A Trade Film Production © 1984