Ada Salter Pioneer of Ethical Socialism

by Graham Taylor

Both in the 'Bermondsey revolution' and nationally, Ada Salter was a pioneer of ethical socialism. Yet her role in the socialist politics of the early twentieth century has for a long time been neglected. This book, based on extensive original research, for the first time tells the story of this remarkable woman, and documents her significance for the history of both socialism and feminism.

Salter was responsible for most of the ideas behind the Bermondsey Revolution, drawing on her experiences in the women's movement and as President of the Women's Labour League. Her groundbreaking ideas on urban development then spread all over London through her work as an LCC councillor, and all over Britain through her role as Chair of the National Gardens Guild.

The book shows how Salter's experiences as a 'Sister of the People' in the London slums eventually led her to the Independent Labour Party, and to the belief that achieving democracy and social justice in Britain required a grassroots alliance between the labour and women's movements. Other women in the ILP had similar ideas, but it was only Ada Salter who actually took political power, implemented her 'utopian' ideas, and won elections by huge majorities.

Ideas of ethical socialism have recently returned to contemporary politics, adding to Ada Salter's importance as a figure of topical historical interest. Her story is thus one that deeply resonates with contemporary political concerns.

298 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book restores Ada Salter to her rightful place as one of the greatest political and community activists of her generation. Ada was an ethical socialist with strong Quacker beliefs who dedicated her own life to improve the lives, homes and environment of the people of Bermondsey. Ada was a charity worker, and a women's, and political activist. Ada was involved in every aspect of community life. She stood with women and workers on strike. Fought for and secured better housing, a greener borough, and playgrounds. With her husband Alfred she set up a Co-op Bakery. The list is endless. Ada was the first ever Labour Councillor. The first ever Labour Mayor. She was President of the Women's Labour League, co-founder of 'Labour Woman', and Chair of the National Gardens Guild. As an LCC member Ada used her Bermondsey Revolution experience to spread her urban development ideas throughout London. Politically astute, Ada's hard work and integrity rallied even the sceptical to her groundbreaking reforms. On the International stage her pacifism, clear thinking, and resolve influenced other delegates to the 1915 Women's Socialist International Conference in Berne to oppose Lenin's wish for armed revolution throughout Europe.
Graham Taylor has done what the Labour movement has failed to do, and that is recognise the powerful and transformational contribution that Ada made under the banner of community led social revolution. Ada would have been saddened that while so much of what she achieved eventually become Labour Party policy. The driving force of accountable community led change was replaced by state centralism and machine politics. And of Alfred Salter MP? He was Ada's husband.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graham Taylor's meticulous research has produced a book with a wealth of detail about the life of Ada Salter, one of the best-known Labour politicians of the first part of the 20th century, the first woman mayor in London, the first Labour woman mayor in Britain. She was responsible for massive improvements in housing, health and the physical surroundings of "ordinary people" in her beloved Bermondsey. She was dedicated to providing parks and gardens for the citizens of London, not just in Bermondsey but beyond, as Vice-Chair of the LCC Parks Committee. This book does much to bring Ada out from the shadow of her more famous husband, Dr Alfred Salter, who was MP for Bermondsey from 1922 for almost 20 years and was a visionary who laid the foundations for the NHS. We now know that Ada was the driving force behind their ethical socialism and was a forceful and successful politican in her own right. This is a book for dipping into, and it is therefore a pity that the only index is a list of persons rather than events. There are too many facts and details in this book to be absorbed on the first reading, and a better index would make it more possible to retrieve the many tantalisingly half-remembered points which combine to create the picture of this remarkable woman.

[Jenny Dawkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found this really interesting - a fascinating and inspiring historical figure. She's ground-breaking in many ways but so little known about.

[Barbara Ann Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this .