We have come to the end of a chapter in our industrial history. The industrial system to which the Tory Party adheres-at least officially and in its manifestos-has failed us. ... It is no use blaming working people or the unions if they have to work in ancient factories with obsolete equipment producing old-fashioned goods at unecomonic prices and earning low wages as well. Working people not only are not responsible for the weakness of British manufacturing industry. They have hitherto been denied the tools and tackle that they needed to put it right. ... We have got to make a fresh start now. We have got to get investment up, and to get it up as soon as we can. If the market economy cannot or will not give us that investment, we must do it direct. (Tony Benn)

We have come to the end of a chapter in our industrial history. The industrial system to which the Tory Party adheres-at least officially and in its manifestos-has failed us. ... It is no use blaming working people or the unions if they have to work in ancient factories with obsolete equipment producing old-fashioned goods at unecomonic prices and earning low wages as well. Working people not only are not responsible for the weakness of British manufacturing industry. They have hitherto been denied the tools and tackle that they needed to put it right. ... We have got to make a fresh start now. We have got to get investment up, and to get it up as soon as we can. If the market economy cannot or will not give us that investment, we must do it direct.

Tony Benn

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ancient blaming british chapter direct earning economy end equipment fresh goods history industrial industry investment least low manufacturing market now old-fashioned party people responsible right start system tackle tory use wages weakness well work working

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