“How did you personally contribute to the revolution?”
“I helped to drive out the bosses from my factory by committing acts of aggression towards them and their stupid foremen. They became very afraid of us workers and did not return to our factory. Instead they opted out for the easy road and shut down my workplace, locking all of the workers out. With no work in my days, I joined the other locked out workers by striking and showing support for those who could make a difference for us. Now if you don’t mind, I must attend to my family.”
“Thank you very much Nikoli, be safe.”
“I am now joined by Kristopher Redenski. Thank you for joining us today. What is your background and job Mr Redenski?”
“I own a factory in Petrograd and employ many workers for it. I am well off and live considerably comfortably.”
“What are your views on the recent events that have struck Russia?”
“The revolution is the worst thing that has ever happened to me! It is the marking of my downfall! The Provisional Government was good for me. They worked well for the middle and upper classes and ensured that my business flourished. Now my factory is no longer mine. Those vile Bolsheviks have taken what is mine and assumed state control over it. It is stupid for us to be fighting inside Russia while there is a large scale war going on abroad and on our borders. Our interests need to lie in ensuring our troops come out of this war victorious, instead of fighting amongst each other internally. This is a time of need! How can we win a war while our soldiers are having to protect our cities from the very people they are fighting to save on our borders.”
“How have you acted in response to the revolution?”
“I had finally had enough of Lenin and the other Bolsheviks stirring up trouble in my factory and decided that action needed to be taken. After all, all those evil Bolsheviks are is a gang of German agents attempting to destroy our country from within. I let my factory workers know that if they wanted to take part in Bolshevik demonstrations or support them in any way, then they were not welcome to work in my factory. Still, some workers defied me and I had to make a stand. Workers were fired to prove to the other men that I meant business. (Bursts out crying) Damn Bolsheviks! You have ruined my life!”
“Prior to this broadcast I managed to set up a meeting with Alexander Kerensky, the former Prime Minister of the Provisional Government. We are on our way now to meet him in a dark alleyway in the slums of Petrograd. He is a very wanted man and we are extremely lucky in being able to find him.”
(Figure in a trench coat and big hat whispers “Over here.”)
“Thank you for joining us today Mr Kerensky. Is there anything that you would like to say to the people of Russia and the world?”
“You stupid fools Russia!!! You stupid fools! If only you had kept your faith in the Provisional Government, then everything would have been alright. The promises that we made to you would have come, but just like everything, it takes time to change. Unlike what these lying Bolshevik baboons are claiming, actions and change cannot occur overnight. You must allow time for a good change to benefit you. The Provisional Government was never given a proper chance to show you all that we could deliver on our promises. Instead, you threw us out for small mistakes that were not our fault. You can hardly blame the Provisional Government for the Great War! Now our whole country will go to ruin because of a pack of lairs that now run it. Mark my words; Lenin and his followers will do no better at governing Mother Russia than dogs could. I tried to warn you all by attempting to stamp out the vermin known as Bolsheviks, but you didn’t want to listen! You all wanted to believe that they could make your life better now! Lies! Lies I tell you! And finally, before that filth took over my government I tried to stop it once and for all by arresting the Military Revolutionary Committee, closing down Bolshevik papers, and cutting off the phones to their base at the Smolny Institute. This was for your benefit people! And you threw away your chances to live better lives…”
(At this he breaks off and sprints down the alley.)
“There he is, get him!” (Calls a guard as they run past chasing Kerensky.)
“Excuse me sir, I am a reporter for the BBC and was wondering if you wouldn’t mind answering a few questions for me?”
“No, I am not interested.”
“How about for a sack of flour?”
“Now you are talking, fire away.”
“Who are and what is your occupation?”
“My name is Vladimir Illionilavich and I live and work on my farm in the countryside just out of Petrograd.”
“What is your opinion about the Bolshevik takeover and the recent revolution?”
“I’m very unsure at the moment. It is very confusing. All my life the authorities have messed me around. Firstly the Tsar, then the Provisional Government, and now the Bolsheviks. My land is now owned by the state. I do not see how that benefits me at all. The Bolsheviks seem to care more for the city folk than for the honest farmers like myself. I am afraid that we will go back to a Village Commune like we had many years ago. I want to have control over my land! Not lose it! Maybe the Bolsheviks can deliver? Hopefully they can.”
“What actions did you take during the revolution?”
“I finally had had enough of the menacing Provisional Government stealing all of my supplies so I decided to stop producing food for them. In this way I was revolting as I was no longer giving the Provisional Government my support and I could also now feed my own family. The Provisional Government was no longer going to be getting all of my food! It is mine!
“Now you have heard it all. The wide range of perspectives surrounding this troublesome topic. From a factory worker who believes the Revolution is good, to a factory owner who hates the Revolution. And from the former Prime Minister of Russia who loves the Bolsheviks as much as he loves animal dung, to a farmer who is confused about what he will get out of the Revolution. I have given you their stories, but now it is up to you to decide; is the Bolshevik takeover good or bad?
Good evening Britain.
BBC foreign correspondent Toby Jordan, Petrograd, Russia.
Thank you”
