1962: News - Cuba and the Labour Party

Following a meeting between the Labour Party and the TUC, political correspondent Hardiman Scott interviews Labour Party leader Hugh Gaitskell on the Cuban missile crisis as the USA enforces a blockade around Cuba. Gaitskell disapproves of the apparent installation of missiles in Cuba by the Soviets, but is also concerned about the blockade. However, the evidence that Cuba is hosting Soviet missiles seems conclusive.

In 'The Observer' in 1957, Hugh Gaitskell was quoted as saying 'Surely the right course is to test the Russians, not the bomb.' On 23 August 1977, he famously stated in 'The Guardian' that 'All terrorists, at the invitation of the Government, end up with drinks at the Dorchester.'

BBC Archive: Originally broadcast 24 October 1962.