Labour’s oldest constituency party goes back to roots

The Colne Valley CLP was formed on July 21, 1891 in a Slaithwaite house by weavers and engineering workers.

Originally called the Social Democratic Club, the party organised a walk around key sites yesterday including 23 Nabbs Lane – the house where it was founded. One of their first candidates in 1895 was famous trade unionist Thomas Mann, inset, who was jailed for sedition for urging soldiers not to shoot strikers.

Joining the members was Lord David Clark, who was Colne Valley’s MP from 1970 to 1974.

They also visited the old town hall where the constituency’s first Labour MP, staunch socialist Victor Grayson, delivered his victory speech in 1906.

Party member Paul Salveson said the local party retains a strong sense of its history.

“The CLP was trailblazing and put down strong roots for the future Labour Party, it was very much a form of home grown socialism and all of the villages and towns had socialist clubs,” he said.

“There is also significant cultural heritage, the clubs had their own bands or bridge groups, it was the bedrock of the community.

“And many of the issues are still being faced today – Victor Grayson campaigned about political corruption, nationalisation of the railways and equal rights.”

The Colne Valley seat is currently held by Tory MP Jason McCartney and in recent years has frequently been a three-way marginal.