When news of the February Revolution (8–12 March 1917) in Russia spread to the British Isles, it inspired the labour movement to celebrate the event.
It was organised by the United Socialist Council, a body which contained representatives of the British Socialist Party (BSP), the Independent Labour Party (ILP) and the Fabian Society, and was attended by 1,150 delegates from various political organisations, trades unions and pressure groups.
The event was claimed to be a "Democratic Conference to establish Democracy in Great Britain" and "To Follow Russia" and four resolutions were passed - 1. hailing the Russian Revolution; 2. on foreign policy and war aims, calling for a negotiated end to the war; 3. on civil liberties, including calls for equal political rights, freedom of speech, and release of political and religious prisoners (including conscientious objectors); 4. to form Workmen's and Soldiers' Councils in Britain "for initiating and co-ordinating working-class activity".
It heard messages of support from George Lansbury, Clifford Allen and the Executive of the Soldiers’ and Workmen’s Deputies in Petrograd.
Others in attendance at the Leeds Convention included Ben Tillett, Fred Jowett, Arthur MacManus, J. T. Murphy, Margaret Bondfield and Alf Mattison.