Norman Willis tried to build a broader base of support for the TUC and when I was in parliament he invited me to speak at a big rally in Central Hall, Westminster, knowing that I was then a member of the Transport and General Workers' Union.
When I was called on to speak, there were loud and widespread boos. Norman rose to quell the noise and told the assembled mass: "There are some comrades here who, if they were told to make up a firing squad, would form a circle." I then got a fair hearing.
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