The Witchfinder General

Joyce Gould's memoirs take us through 80 years of political and social change, identifying her role as part of that change. She grew up in Leeds in a Jewish family when left-wing politics were everyday conversation. On joining the Labour Party, she found herself influenced to be an involved member by the strong and feisty Yorkshire women who took her under their wing. After two decades as a voluntary worker, she was appointed as the party's chief women's officer, and later as director of organisation. She was also charged with the task of removing the militant tendancy from the party. This was to earn her the title of Witchfinder General.