MI5's Secret Surveillance of Political Dissent During the 1937 Coronation

In November 1936, a local councillor named Thomas Richardson addressed a protest meeting in New Herrington, Durham, promising that the unemployed, having recently marched on London, would return the following year to make the coronation ceremony a "mockery and a farce." His words were noted by a police officer and eventually found their way into an MI5 file titled "Extremist Activities in Connection with the Coronation." This file, now released by The National Archives, provides a fascinating glimpse into how Britain's Security Service monitored various groups that posed a threat to the grand royal event planned for May 12, 1937.

Initially, the file was opened in July 1936 when the coronation was intended for King Edward VIII, who had ascended the throne earlier that year. However, his abdication in December 1936 to marry Wallis Simpson led to a change in plans, with his younger brother, George VI, crowned instead. The coronation was set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, which fueled political unrest and discontent among various factions, including the Communist Party of Great Britain and the Independent Labour Party (ILP). Both groups viewed the lavish royal ceremony as an affront during a time of economic hardship.

Warnings about potential disruptions began to surface shortly after the file's inception. On July 30, 1936, Glasgow police reported on an ILP meeting where Campbell Stephen, an MP, urged the Labour movement to boycott the coronation arrangements. His call for a counter-demonstration reflected the growing dissent against the monarchy amidst rising class tensions. Richardson's remarks in Durham echoed this sentiment, as he criticized the King's visit to South Wales, suggesting it was an attempt to placate the discontented population.

The abdication of Edward VIII shocked many, including left-wing activists who had viewed him as a champion of the common people. A February 1937 article in the ILP newspaper captured their disbelief at the sudden change in monarchy. Notably, the file also contained a bilingual leaflet from the Welsh Nationalist Party, which encouraged Welsh citizens to boycott the coronation, citing grievances over their treatment as part of England rather than as a distinct nation.

Organized Dissent Against the Coronation

The Communist Party's response to the coronation was particularly organized. MI5 intercepted internal circulars detailing plans to distribute pamphlets titled "The Plain Man’s Guide to the Coronation," which aimed to undermine the royal spectacle. MI5 took these threats seriously, with reports indicating that the Party planned to distribute a million free leaflets leading up to the coronation, leveraging local events to promote their anti-monarchist agenda.

In April 1937, MI5 received intelligence regarding a proposed general strike by transport workers timed to coincide with the coronation. The Security Service noted that while the Communist Party sought to exploit legitimate grievances, the busmen's demands were rooted in genuine issues. On May 1, 1937, London busmen indeed walked out, resulting in a significant disruption on coronation day, with no buses operating in the capital.

What the Record Leaves Behind

Despite the various plans and threats, the coronation of George VI proceeded without major incident. The MI5 files illustrate a complex interplay of political dissent and state surveillance, revealing how the Security Service monitored not just the threats to the monarchy but also the broader societal tensions of the time. The files serve as a historical record of a moment when the British public's relationship with the monarchy was under scrutiny, showcasing the challenges of maintaining royal pageantry amidst widespread discontent.

The MI5 files on extremist activities in connection with the coronation (KV 3/457–458) were released in October 2026, offering historians and enthusiasts a deeper understanding of the political climate surrounding this significant event.