Kmflett's Blog

Northern Star, 24th June 1848

From the Chartists Exclusive Dealing to Banning Labour MPs from pubs

It wouldn’t be reliable history to suggest that the Chartists in the 1840s were the first ever to boycott shops and pubs that didn’t support the vote but the Exclusive Dealing campaigns of the decade had their impact. It was twofold. Firstly to give custom to those who backed the Chartists. Secondly to build an alternative source- the Co-operatives.

Of course business was also on the case. For example Chartist papers that were thought too radical such as Harney’s Red Republican were ‘burked’ by the news trade. That is they did not sell them.

In more recent times boycotts against goods from specific countries- South Africa over apartheid and Israel over Palestine, have had some impact. They are collectively organised but individually executed, although sometimes as with the Co-Ops recent support for BDS the two come together.

The business boycott is still with us too. The campaign to ban Labour MPs from pubs has baffled even those (such as CAMRA, I remain a member) who think there is  case for action on business costs of running a pub. If the pub is the hub of the community then seeing pubs go out of business is not a good look. That said banning MPs, and no doubt by extension those who might be minded to support them (on occasion at least) does not seem like a particularly sensible business move. In fact it has the flavour of the political hard and far right, always keen on culture wars and gestures.

The Daily Telegraph (29^th December) has reported that some hairdressers are now banning Labour MPs. Given the number of hairdressers there are on High Streets nowadays turning any customer away seems a baffling business model.

The aim of the boycott is to effect change not shoot yourself in the foot.