Papers of and relating to Sir Leslie Cannon (1920-1970), trade union leader

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Reference number	CAN
Date	1946-1971
Level	Collection
Description	Correspondence and related papers regarding Cannon's involvement in the Communist Party, and Communist involvement with the ETU, 1946-1961; articles written by Cannon, 1955-1970; press cuttings, 1957-60, 1964, 1967.
Extent	2 boxes
Admin history	Born in 1920, Les Cannon quickly made his mark on the world of trade unionism. A keen supporter of the Communist Party in his early life, and an electrician by trade, Cannon held the position of Electrical Trades Union Executive Councillor from 1948-1954. However, in the wake of events in Hungary, Cannon became disillusioned with the Communist Party, leaving it in 1956. From then on, he began a campaign to uncover what he saw as a wide ranging plot by the Communists to rig ETU elections - this resulted in the famous 1961 trial, when Cannon's allegations were proved correct, and the then ETU General Secretary was forced to step down. Cannon became ETU General President in 1963, and also over-saw the union's merger with the Plumbing Trades Union, to form the Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications and Plumbing Trades Union in 1968. Tragically, Cannon died of cancer in 1970, aged fifty, shortly before he was awarded a knighthood in the New Year's Honours List. Reference: John Lloyd, 'Light and Liberty: The History of the EETPU', (London, 1990).
Access status	Open
Related material	The Modern Records Centre also holds: general records of the Electrical Trades Union (MSS.387); papers of Frank Chapple (MSS.387/6/CH).

Correspondence with the Communist Party, including Harry Pollitt and Lawrence and Wishart. Two reports on Electrical Trades Union shop stewards' course to which Cannon lectured Electrical Trades Union Committee of Inquiry, 1959. Cannon's correspondence with supporters, mainly 1961. Cannon's correspondence with Ben Hooberman, solicitor Cannon's claim for restitution of his union rights [not proceeded with]. Miscellaneous non-Electrical Trades Union records. Cannon's circulars against the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) leadership; ETU ballot documents Cannon's contributions to 'Electron' and its successor, 'Contact': photocopies, extracts from issues and some duplicate texts. Cannon's addresses to the Electrical Trades Union. Cannon's non-Electrical Trades Union publications, including broadcasts. Unpublished writings by Cannon. Electrical Trades Union (ETU) publications. Typescript statements and other records relating to Cannon's assistance to counsel in preparing case. Material relating to Cannon in connection with 'The Road from Wigan Pier'. Miscellaneous background material for book. 'Anti-Communist material'. Press-cuttings mainly concerning the Electrical Trades Union and court case (mainly photocopies), 1957-1960, 1964, 1967 Appreciation of Cannon by John Torode, 'Guardian' Electrical Trades Union enquiry committee typescript proceedings.