A Federation Friend - Lord James Callaghan, KG

In 1955 the national Federation was experiencing a number of difficulties that required the assistance of a well-placed politician with an understanding of workers' rights and pension funds. It was suggested that the Joint Central Committee (JCC) obtain the services of a sympathetic young MP to put forward their case in the 'corridors of power'. James Callaghan, 43, a former Royal Navy officer and employee of the Inland Revenue Staff Federation, was an aspiring Labour MP for southeast Cardiff. He got on well with the JCC and was considered ideally suited to the task. He was regarded as one of the most promising young MPs in the Commons and soon agreed to become the Federation's first Parliamentary consultant and adviser (1955-1964).

"Callaghan's great gift was to teach the Federation the art of negotiation," says General Secretary Paul Roberts. "He enabled the JCC to effectively put its case for improved pay scales for federated ranks with the then Police Arbitration Tribunal - a precursor of today's Police Negotiating Board."

Callaghan also achieved retrospective pay awards for all officers by organising support on both sides of the Commons. Branch boards were encouraged to enlist the help of their MPs and a groundswell of support emerged. The Government of the day gave way and made the pay award back datable by three months. In December 1955, 68,000 police officers in England & Wales opened their pay packets, for the very first time, to find back pay thanks to the Federation and James Callaghan MP.

Four years later he was instrumental in moving the Federation's legal business to Russell, Jones & Walker, a very small firm of solicitors specialising in trade union work. The subsequent success of the firm in securing damages for injured officers was another boost for the Federation.

Later as Prime Minister he would be responsible for setting up the Edmund-Davies Committee. The Edmund-Davies Report remains the bedrock on which the Police Negotiating Board determines police officers' pay and working conditions to this very day.

James Callaghan went on to hold all four great offices of state: Chancellor of the Exchequer (1964), Home Secretary (1967), Foreign Secretary (1974) and Prime Minister (1976-79). As Home Secretary, he was presented with the Federation Bowl for his services to the organisation, when he officially opened the new Surbiton HQ in 1969. Ten years later he would lose the 1979 election to Margaret Thatcher and another age of police reform would be ushered in with Sheehy. He remained Labour leader for another year and became Father of the House until his retirement from his Cardiff South constituency in 1987, when he became Lord Callaghan and a Knight of the Garter.

Lord Leonard James (Jim) Callaghan's sharp political instincts and innate sense of justice enabled the national Federation to improve pay and conditions across the police service for decades to come. He is rightly regarded by history as one of the Police Federation's greatest friends.