Read on Twitter
#OTD 1948. Death of the Labour MP Evan Durbin as he drowns saving his family
One of the bright stars of Labour’s 1945 intake, Durbin had been PPS to Gaitskell and tipped to enter Cabinet
Attlee tells the nation of ‘deep distress’ at the loss of a ‘personal friend'. A thread
One of the bright stars of Labour’s 1945 intake, Durbin had been PPS to Gaitskell and tipped to enter Cabinet
Attlee tells the nation of ‘deep distress’ at the loss of a ‘personal friend'. A thread
Evan Durbin emerged as one of the brightest talents from Labour’s 1945 intake.
He revitalised Labour thinking in the early 1940s with his book The Politics of Democratic Socialism.
He revitalised Labour thinking in the early 1940s with his book The Politics of Democratic Socialism.
Durbin began his career for the Workers' EA, where, he toured Labour’s coal mining heartlands as a lecturer in the 1930s.
Harold Laski would later write that he was a gifted lecturer to the pit villages because ‘he insisted on the same standards’ as a University class.
Harold Laski would later write that he was a gifted lecturer to the pit villages because ‘he insisted on the same standards’ as a University class.
Published as the war began In 1940, his Politics of Democratic Socialism combined economics with new methods of psychoanalysis.
Durbin argued that there must be a continuous defeat of the extremist minorities on the left and the right in order for democracy to save itself.
Durbin argued that there must be a continuous defeat of the extremist minorities on the left and the right in order for democracy to save itself.
He would refute Marxism penning an article in the Daily Herald: 'Why I am not a Marxist':
'Human beings are not merely economic beings…we all think and feel about other things and are moved by other loyalties’
'Human beings are not merely economic beings…we all think and feel about other things and are moved by other loyalties’
He also urged the country to arm itself for battle:
'In an age of power politics - I want this country - my country - to win ... I want England to live and grow'
'In an age of power politics - I want this country - my country - to win ... I want England to live and grow'
Attracting the attention of Clement Attlee, he became his Personal Assistant in 1942
In 1945 Durbin was elected as the MP for Edmonton on a huge national swing.
In 1945 Durbin was elected as the MP for Edmonton on a huge national swing.
He was quickly appointed as PPS to the Chancellor Hugh Gaitskell but was thought too young to be in straight into the Cabinet
Many tipped him to become the party’s next leader.
Many tipped him to become the party’s next leader.
In the September of 1948, Durbin was on holiday in Bude with his wife and three children.
One afternoon, on the beach at Crackington Haven, his daughters and a friend got in to major difficulties swimming in the sea.
One afternoon, on the beach at Crackington Haven, his daughters and a friend got in to major difficulties swimming in the sea.
A doctor on the beach reported that after 'placing the child safely on a rock' he returned to save other children in difficulties.
He was caught in a strong current and swept out to sea.
He was caught in a strong current and swept out to sea.
Attlee and Gaitskell were rocked by the news of his death.
Prime Minister Attlee told the nation of his ‘deep distress’ on the tragic death of ‘a personal friend of many years’. He claimed he was ‘a great loss to the Labour Movement to which he had given such devoted service’.
Prime Minister Attlee told the nation of his ‘deep distress’ on the tragic death of ‘a personal friend of many years’. He claimed he was ‘a great loss to the Labour Movement to which he had given such devoted service’.
Gaitskell wrote in his diary:
‘And, there is nobody else in my life whom I can consult on the most fundamental issues, knowing that I shall get the guidance that I want.’
‘And, there is nobody else in my life whom I can consult on the most fundamental issues, knowing that I shall get the guidance that I want.’
