Zilliacus

ZILLIACUS:
A Life For Peace and Socialism

by Archie Potts

"Konni Zilliacus died in July 1967 and among many heartfelt tributes the words of the veteran socialist Sydney Silverman say it all: "Zilly was in many ways the greatest international socialist of my time." Archie Potts has done the Left a great service with his very well researched biography of this outstanding but hitherto neglected socialist and internationalist. "Zilly"'s life is an inspiration to all on the Left in these difficult times."
What Next #27, 2004

Konni Zilliacus (1894-1967) worked throughout his life to influence UK foreign policy towards peace and conciliation. From a post in the League of Nations, he influenced policy makers in the Labour Party in the 1930's. In 1945 he was elected as a Labour MP, and opposed Cold War policies initiated by Ernest Bevin. For his pains he was expelled for a time from the Labour Party. A friend of Tito, he was sympathetic towards Eastern Europe, but no Stalinist. He worked with the Union of Democratic Control, a pressure group that anticipated parts of the New Left. He deplored growing arms expenditure and inadequate expenditure on the NHS and other services. He opposed America's intervention in Vietnam. His family origins were in Finland. He spoke eight languages.

"a brilliant biography of a brilliant man, who devoted his life to the cause of Peace and Socialism and exercised great influence from his early years as an official working in the League of Nations through to his work in and out of parliament as a Labour MP"
From the Foreword by Tony Benn