George Forsyth: The Unionist Who Took on Auckland’s Mayor
pplpod · pplpod
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Show Notes
From the Battle of Jutland to the chaotic chambers of the Auckland City Council, George Forsyth was never afraid of a fight. In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the life of this uncompromising New Zealand trade unionist and politician.
We trace Forsyth’s journey from a Royal Navy Petty Officer in WWI—where he once met T.E. Lawrence—to his 44-year tenure as a union leader, eventually becoming President of the Auckland Caretakers, Cleaners, Lift Attendants and Watchmen's Union.
But the real story lies in his tumultuous political career. We break down his on-again, off-again relationship with the Labour Party, his principled resignations over housing policies, and his bitter, years-long feud with popular Auckland Mayor Dove-Myer Robinson.
Tune in to hear how Forsyth’s "spoiler" campaigns in the 1965 and 1968 mayoral elections shook up New Zealand politics, and why this self-proclaimed guardian of Labour principles faced anonymous threats and "Chicago-style opposition" in his quest to serve his city.