What are your views on Ricky Tomlinson ?

[SocialistTommy]

Yes, Ricky Tomlinson, the actor most famously known for playin Jimmy Royle in the tv sitcom 'Royle family' (people from the UK may know).

In my opinion he is a working class hero, thrown into prison in the 80's for being politically active as he joined the flying pickets in Shrewsbury campaigning for Building workers. Whilst in prison he went on hunger strike

To top it off, he donated 1,000,000 pounds to a charity housing the families of poor children.

He did join the National front when he was young, but went on to regret it, stating himself that at that time he was 'politcally naive and poorly educated'

What are your thoughts on him ?

[thefinalmarch]

He seems to have done some respectable activism and generally seems like a nice guy. But that's not what I base my politics on. He part-owns a business, so make what you will of that.

[Manic Impressive]

Left wing of capitalism, he supports the Labour party.

[thefinalmarch]

Left wing of capitalism, he supports the Labour party.
oh, I overlooked that. Respect for him just took a nose-dive.

[Manic Impressive]

Well I should clarify he's in the "socialist" labour party
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As you can see from this campaign ad it's still reformist and not socialist.

[Admiral Swagmeister G-Funk]

he was good in the royle family.

[Rooster]

I think his attitude is typical of much of that generation of workers in the heavy industries, especially the ones that have been involved in strike action. The vaguely left wing who identify themselves as socialist but haven't read Marx. I don't think they're reformist per say, I just think they lack the articulation for a revolutionary mindset. It's a short step from taking part in industrial action and work-ins and becoming a revolutionary. I'm being vague because I don't know anything about Tomlinson. Just that he looks like the generation that was around in the 70s fighting Thatcher.

[Lunatic Concept]

He did also praise the ragged trousered philanthropists on tv which is nice.

[Cencus]

He claims that when he goes to awards ceremonies he sneaks a six pack of mild ale in his bag as he can't stand champagne.

He comes across as a solid worrking class bloke who got a break but never forgot his roots in the community.

[brigadista]

http://www.shrewsburypicketscampaign.org.uk/