Jimmy Reid

Explore the life of Jimmy Reid (1932–2010): a Scottish trade-union leader, orator, politician and journalist. Learn about his activism, his “rat race” speech, key achievements, his views, and powerful quotes.

Introduction

James “Jimmy” Reid (born 9 July 1932 – died 10 August 2010) was a distinguished Scottish trade unionist, activist, public speaker, politician, and writer.

He gained international renown during the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders “work-in” of 1971–72, where he and fellow union leaders refused to strike, but instead kept the workers employed to show that the yards could survive under worker discipline and public support.

Perhaps his most enduring legacy is his powerful “Alienation” rectorship speech (often called the “rat race” speech), delivered as Rector of the University of Glasgow in 1972—still quoted today for its moral critique of competitive modern society.

In the sections below, we look at his life trajectory, political and social roles, defining traits, famous quotes, and lessons.

Early Life & Background

Jimmy Reid was born in Govan, a working-class shipbuilding district in Glasgow, Scotland, on 9 July 1932.

He grew up amid the industrial heart of shipbuilding Scotland, and from an early age, he was exposed to the labor struggles, craftsmanship, and economic pressures faced by working families.

As a youth, Reid became involved with left-wing politics: he joined the Young Communist League and later the Communist Party of Great Britain.

He also worked as an engineer and served as a shop steward in the Amalgamated Union of Engineering Workers, giving him grassroots experience in the daily challenges of industrial labor.

He participated in a significant apprentices’ strike in the Clyde shipyards in 1951, an early sign of his commitment to workers’ rights.

Activism & the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders “Work-In”

In the early 1970s, the British Conservative government under Edward Heath decided to withdraw shipyard subsidies, which threatened closure of the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders (UCS), putting thousands of jobs at risk.

Rather than strike, Reid and colleagues (including Jimmy Airlie, Sammy Gilmore, and Sammy Barr) proposed a “work-in”: workers would keep working unpaid to complete existing orders and show that the yards could remain viable with discipline and public backing.

During this period, Reid was elected Rector of the University of Glasgow by students, and it was in this capacity that he delivered his famous inaugural address, titled "Alienation", on 28 April 1972.

That speech strongly criticized modern materialism, competition, alienation of workers from their craft, and the idea that society should be reduced to rat races. Among its best-known lines:

“A rat race is for rats. We’re not rats. We’re human beings.”

The address was reprinted in full by The New York Times, which praised it as “the greatest speech since President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.”

The work-in campaign ultimately succeeded in persuading the government to provide funding and restructuring for the shipyards.

Political & Journalistic Career

After the UCS episode, Reid’s public profile rose significantly.

He contested seats as a Communist Party candidate in 1974 (Central Dunbartonshire) and later joined the Labour Party, standing as its candidate in Dundee East in 1979.

He left the Communist Party in about 1975 and eventually drifted toward the Scottish Socialist Party, and in 2005 he joined the Scottish National Party (SNP), fully backing Scottish independence.

In parallel, Reid became a journalist and broadcaster—writing columns in The Herald, The Scotsman, Daily Mirror, and others; presenting his own investigative TV series; and contributing to political debate.

He was critical of New Labour and the political establishment in later years, arguing that economic power and decision-making often remained distant from ordinary people.

Personality, Values & Leadership Style

Some key traits and values associated with Reid:

• Moral conviction over expedience: Reid frequently emphasized that political and economic decisions should rest on moral, social, and humanistic foundations—not just profit.

• Oratorical power: His speaking style combined clarity, moral force, inclusiveness, and rhetorical resonance (as seen in the “Alienation” speech).

• Cross-political collaboration: Reid attempted to bridge divides across left politics, arguing for unity and cooperation rather than sectarianism.

• Critique of alienation & dehumanization: His reflections on how capitalist systems reduce people to “units of production” recur in many of his writings and speeches.

• Sense of responsibility to the public: He believed that media, governance, and institutions should be held accountable, and citizens should demand transparency.

Famous Quotes of Jimmy Reid

Here are some of his more memorable and often-quoted statements:

• “A rat race is for rats. We’re not rats. We’re human beings.”

• “From the very depth of my being, I challenge the right of any man or any group of men, in business or in government, to tell a fellow human being that he or she is expendable.”

• “The task of the media in a democracy is not to ease the path of those who govern, but to make life difficult for them by constant vigilance…”

• “Profit is the sole criterion used by the establishment to evaluate economic activity. From the rat race to lame ducks …”

• “It is in the public interest to know what our governors are up to. If they are up to doing good, then they are only too happy to let us know. When they are up to no good, they want that kept secret.”

• “Government by the people for the people becomes meaningless unless it includes major economic decision-making by the people for the people.”

These reflect themes of human dignity, accountability, critique of profit-driven systems, and the moral responsibility of public discourse.

Lessons & Legacy

Jimmy Reid’s life offers enduring lessons for activists, citizens, and leaders:

1. Stand for dignity
   Reid’s insistence that people are not mere “units of production” is a powerful reminder that any economic or political system must respect human dignity.

2. Use tactics thoughtfully
   The work-in (rather than strike) demonstrated strategic creativity: instead of confrontation, show viability and moral weight.

3. Speak truth to power
   His critique of media, politics, and dehumanizing competition challenges us to constantly question authority and demand accountability.

4. Build bridges, not sectarian walls
   Reid’s later efforts to transcend doctrinal divides show that social movements are stronger when inclusive cooperation is prioritized.

5. Words can transform
   The “Alienation” speech endures because it spoke to broad human experience—rhetoric grounded in reality can echo across decades.

6. Institutional legacy matters
   After his death, the Jimmy Reid Foundation was established to continue his work—promoting policies and values aligned with social justice in Scotland.

Conclusion

Jimmy Reid was more than a trade union leader: he was a moral voice in turbulent times, a speaker who challenged complacency, and a social critic who fused working-class roots with intellectual clarity.

His life teaches us that struggle can be dignified, that labor deserves respect, and that democracy must include economic justice, not just political rights.