General Strike Day 9: Wednesday 12 May 1926
[Slide for a talk on the General StrikeLink opens in a new window, included in the archives of Henry Sara]
We should resume our work in a spirit of co-operation, leaving behind us all malice and vindictiveness" (loud cheers; Government and Opposition)
Extract from the speech of the Prime Minister to the House of Commons, reported in the 'Evening News'Link opens in a new window
12.20pm: The Trades Union Congress General Council visit Downing Street and tell the Prime Minister that the general strike is to be called off unconditionallyLink opens in a new window.
The news is telegraphed to the BBC and broadcast during the 1pm news bulletinLink opens in a new window.
The King issues a message urging his subjects to join together and "forget whatever elements of bitterness the events of the past few days may have created" in order to create a lasting peace.
The miners remain on strike.
During the evening, police baton charge a crowd attending a meeting outside the Town Hall, Poplar, London. Those injured include the Mayor of Poplar.
Selected sources:
- Termination of the General StrikeLink opens in a new window: official notes of the meeting between members of the Cabinet and the Trades Union Congress General Council
- Summaries of BBC news broadcasts:
- 'The British Gazette', no.7, 3am editionLink opens in a new window, emergency newspaper issued by the government
- 'The British Worker', no.8Link opens in a new window, official strike news bulletin of the Trades Union Congress, including announcement of the end of the strike
- 'The Scottish Worker', no.3Link opens in a new window, official strike news bulletin of the Scottish Trades Union Congress
- Trades Union Congress General Council official bulletin, no.9Link opens in a new window, including copy of the Samuel memorandum
- Trades Union Congress Intelligence Committee survey of the strike positionLink opens in a new window (morning)
- Trades Union Congress Intelligence Committee Intelligence Service bulletin, no.10Link opens in a new window, 12.30pm
- Trades Union Congress Intelligence Committee reportLink opens in a new window (morning)
- 'Daily Mirror'Link opens in a new window, illustrated emergency bulletin
- 'Evening News'Link opens in a new window, late extra bulletin
- Oxford Workers' Strike BulletinLink opens in a new window