FEATURE Tolpuddle Martyrs


n By Alan Jones RURAL REBELLION


One hundred and ninety years ago farm workers downed tools and said no to their bosses.Their fight is our still our fight


Comparing the attacks facing trade unions today to the arrest and deportation of the Tolpuddle Martyrs seems unbelievable.


But that’s exactly what happened on February 24 when an event was held in the tiny Dorset village to mark the 190th anniversary of the day when six agricultural labourers were arrested for attempting to fight cuts to their meagre wages.


They were charged under an obscure act and sentenced to be transported to Australia before being pardoned years later after mass protests.


The Tolpuddle Martyrs became a nationwide cause for union and workers’ rights movements, and 190 years later their campaign is being mirrored across the country as workers face cuts to pay and conditions, restrictions on taking industrial action, and threats of legal action.


A festival is held in Tolpuddle every year, attended by thousands of trade unionists and campaigners, but local union officials, including those from


Unite, decided to hold an extra event this year given the scale of industrial unrest which has spread across the country over the past two years.


Dozens of people attended on February 24, on a rare rainless day, to hear speeches about the Martyrs’ history, links to current campaigns on taking industrial action and the need for welfare reform, while listening to Dorset’s Red Choir belt out its trademark radical songs.


Alan Daniels, treasurer of Unite Tolpuddle branch, who helped organise the event, said he sees no difference between the Martyrs’ story and what unions face today.


“I call it the same struggle,” he told Landworker. “We’re fighting the same


fight. These guys started the trade union movement, basically fighting back against capitalism. We are still involved in that same fight.”


John Burbidge, who Tolpuddle branch chair, firmly believes there is a parallel between the law being used to arrest and charge the Martyrs, to the controversial legislation introduced by the government last year to force unions to agree to a minimum level of service during strikes, with workers faced with the sack if they don't comply.


“The Martyrs were arrested without notice on their way to work and taken away from their families which was outrageous.


In-work conditionality – Andy Mitchell and Brett Sparkes “But what is happening 20 uniteLANDWORKERSpring 2024


now is equally outrageous because workers are facing attacks on their democratic right to withdraw their labour. Workers can do little to improve their pay and conditions unless they are in a trade union. It is especially difficult in the agricultural industry because of casualisation.”


John, who runs a small farm, says the Martyrs were also railing against the huge gap between the rich and poor – a gap which still exists now.


"There has been a massive increase in food poverty, homelessness and reliance on food banks, proving that the same ruthless, vindictive ruling classes are the same as their ancestors."


John and others who keep the Tolpuddle story alive, remain in contact with families in Canada, where four of the six original Martyrs emigrated to after their release.


Canadian unions have their own celebrations, showing how the men inspired workers across the world.


Another important link between 190 years ago and the present day was the fact that the martyrs were held on a prison ship before being transported to Australia, a situation campaigners believe is being repeated now with hundreds of asylum seekers being housed on a barge in Portland port, Dorset.


A small group of men from the Bibby Stockholm barge attended the


celebration. Unite Community member Giovanna Lewis, from the Portland Global Friendship Group, who accompanied the men to Tolpuddle, said they had shown a lot of interest in the Martyrs and were fascinated to see


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