If the law is a bad law, there is always the contingent right to take action that you would not otherwise take.

Meaning of the quote

This quote means that if a law is unfair or wrong, you have the right to take steps to change it, even if those steps are not normally allowed. Sometimes, people need to go against the rules in order to make things right.

About James Callaghan

James Callaghan, a British statesman and Labour Party politician, served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979. He held all four Great Offices of State, including Chancellor of the Exchequer, Home Secretary, and Foreign Secretary. Callaghan’s tenure was marked by economic challenges and industrial unrest, leading to his defeat in the 1979 election.

More about the author

More quotes from James Callaghan

There are no instant solutions.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

A lie can be halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

Your strike will not win. You cannot be allowed to succeed.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

If the law is a bad law, there is always the contingent right to take action that you would not otherwise take.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

Some people, however long their experience or strong their intellect, are temperamentally incapable of reaching firm decisions.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

I am not proposing to seek your votes because there is a blue sky ahead today.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

A leader must have the courage to act against an expert’s advice.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

You can never reach the promised land. You can march towards it.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

There is not a single injustice in Northern Ireland that is worth the loss of a single British soldier or a single Irish citizen either.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

I sum up the prospects for 1967 in three short sentences. We are back on course. The ship is picking up speed. The economy is moving. Every seaman knows the command at such a moment: ‘steady as she goes’.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

The rule of law should be upheld by all political parties. They should neither advise others to break the law, nor encourage others to do so even when they strongly disagree with the legislation put forward by the government of the day.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

I’ve never been one to say that Britain was joining a happy band of brothers.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

A leader has to ‘appear’ consistent. That doesn’t mean he has to be consistent.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)

I am rather in favour of dealing with teenage hooliganism.

James Callaghan

former prime minister of the United Kingdom (1912-2005)