On Labour Leadership

“I am not a Labour leader. I do not want you to follow me or anyone else. If you are looking for a Moses to lead you out of the capitalist wilderness, you will stay right where you are. I would not lead you into this promised land if I could, because if I could lead you in someone else could lead you out. I would be ashamed to admit that I had risen from the ranks. When I rise, it will be with the ranks, not from them.”—Eugene V. Debs (quoted in “Forward,” July 25th, 1942).