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The palace letters: what Charteris revealed to Kerr about UK unions and Labour The palace letters: what Martin Charteris revealed to Kerr about UK unions and Labour
(about 5 hours later)
Key views of the Queen’s private secretary in letters to Australian governor generalKey views of the Queen’s private secretary in letters to Australian governor general
Newly released letters from the mid-1970s show an almost constant dialogue between the Queen’s then private secretary, Martin Charteris, and the Australian governor general, John Kerr, in which they discussed major topics of the day in both countries.Newly released letters from the mid-1970s show an almost constant dialogue between the Queen’s then private secretary, Martin Charteris, and the Australian governor general, John Kerr, in which they discussed major topics of the day in both countries.
Labour leadershipLabour leadership
When Harold Wilson suddenly resigned as Labour leader – and prime minister – in March 1976, there was a scrabble to be his successor. It took three ballots, and was eventually won by James Callaghan.When Harold Wilson suddenly resigned as Labour leader – and prime minister – in March 1976, there was a scrabble to be his successor. It took three ballots, and was eventually won by James Callaghan.
“I would not describe it as a crisis. It has more character of a sweepstake, or perhaps, musical chairs,” wrote Charteris. “As I draft this letter we have just heard that there is to be a third ballot on Monday, 5th April, to decide the leadership of the Parliamentary Labour Party and, of course, the chosen man will become the Prime Minister as sure as night follows day.”“I would not describe it as a crisis. It has more character of a sweepstake, or perhaps, musical chairs,” wrote Charteris. “As I draft this letter we have just heard that there is to be a third ballot on Monday, 5th April, to decide the leadership of the Parliamentary Labour Party and, of course, the chosen man will become the Prime Minister as sure as night follows day.”
There were some, Charteris mused, who thought that the business “marks a further erosion of the Sovereign’s prerogative. I do not believe that this is so.”There were some, Charteris mused, who thought that the business “marks a further erosion of the Sovereign’s prerogative. I do not believe that this is so.”
He added: “The prerogative is not being used in a positive way because there is no need to use it. And, after all, as no-one knows better than you, ‘reserve powers’ are essentially powers in reserve, and not powers to be flaunted or used for the hell of it.”He added: “The prerogative is not being used in a positive way because there is no need to use it. And, after all, as no-one knows better than you, ‘reserve powers’ are essentially powers in reserve, and not powers to be flaunted or used for the hell of it.”
Denis HealeyDenis Healey
As the Labour chancellor was formulating his “social contract” with union leaders amid high inflation and frequent strikes, Charteris’s view of union power was evident.As the Labour chancellor was formulating his “social contract” with union leaders amid high inflation and frequent strikes, Charteris’s view of union power was evident.
“In both our countries organised labour has come to look on an ever-increasing standard of living not as something which has to be achieved by increased production but as something which is its natural right and for which the strike weapon is there at hand to be used for its achievement.“In both our countries organised labour has come to look on an ever-increasing standard of living not as something which has to be achieved by increased production but as something which is its natural right and for which the strike weapon is there at hand to be used for its achievement.
“It will be a long time before this attitude changes, though I am a sufficiently buoyant optimist to believe that in this country the Trade Union leaders, however reluctantly, are beginning to accept the responsibility that ought to go with the power at their command. I hope Mr Healey will get away with it but if he does, like Waterloo, it will have been a ‘close run thing’.”“It will be a long time before this attitude changes, though I am a sufficiently buoyant optimist to believe that in this country the Trade Union leaders, however reluctantly, are beginning to accept the responsibility that ought to go with the power at their command. I hope Mr Healey will get away with it but if he does, like Waterloo, it will have been a ‘close run thing’.”
On Kerr’s silence to the pressOn Kerr’s silence to the press
Kerr wrote about the attacks on him in the press following his sacking of Whitlam. Charteris cautioned him to stay silent and not respond. “I have no doubt you will be subjected to a good deal of pressure … To tell your side of the story,” he wrote in March 1976.Kerr wrote about the attacks on him in the press following his sacking of Whitlam. Charteris cautioned him to stay silent and not respond. “I have no doubt you will be subjected to a good deal of pressure … To tell your side of the story,” he wrote in March 1976.
“Newspapers always urge people to speak out as, of course, if they do, the raw material of journalism is provided. I am sure you are wise to remain silent. It would seem to me quite wrong for a Governor-General in office to produce an apologia for his actions. It must, none the less, be galling to have to remain ‘mum’ under tendentious and unjustifiable attack.”“Newspapers always urge people to speak out as, of course, if they do, the raw material of journalism is provided. I am sure you are wise to remain silent. It would seem to me quite wrong for a Governor-General in office to produce an apologia for his actions. It must, none the less, be galling to have to remain ‘mum’ under tendentious and unjustifiable attack.”
On Kerr accused of working for the CIAOn Kerr accused of working for the CIA
Kerr wrote in February 1976: “This morning’s papers contain references in Parliament to an article in ‘Village Voice’, a publication in Greenwich Village, New York, USA, in which it is alleged that I was a CIA agent in dismissing the Whitlam Government and have had CIA associations. Nonsense of course.”Kerr wrote in February 1976: “This morning’s papers contain references in Parliament to an article in ‘Village Voice’, a publication in Greenwich Village, New York, USA, in which it is alleged that I was a CIA agent in dismissing the Whitlam Government and have had CIA associations. Nonsense of course.”
Charteris replied in jovial fashion: “Warm congratulations on being dubbed a CIA agent! Nowadays this is really an accolade of fame.”Charteris replied in jovial fashion: “Warm congratulations on being dubbed a CIA agent! Nowadays this is really an accolade of fame.”