But not only is it desirable that the workers should strive for solid reforms, but it is also imperative that they should prepare to defend the liberties and rights they have already won.
A man must be very careless or very obtuse if he does not perceive that the classes are preparing to drive the workers back from the positions they now hold.
Two ominous words, "Conscription" and "Protection" are being freely bandied about, and attacks, open or covert, are being made upon Trade Unionism and Education. If the workers mean to hold their own they must attack as well as defend. And to attack they need a strong and united Labour Party, that will fight for Labour in and out of Parliament, and will stand for Labour apart from the Liberal and the Tory parties.
And now let us see what the Liberal and Tory parties offer the worker, and why they are not to be trusted.
CHAPTER XVIII WHY THE OLD PARTIES WILL NOT DO
The old parties are no use to Labour for two reasons:—
1. Because their interests are mostly opposed to the interests of Labour.
2. Because such reform as they promise is mostly political, and the kind of reform needed by Labour is industrial and social reform.
Liberal and Tory politicians call us Socialists dreamers. They claim to be practical men. They say theories are no use, that reform can only be secured by practical men and practical means, and for practical men and practical means you must look to the great parties.