It was in 1946 when debating the repeal of laws against trade unions in the House of Commons that Shawcross allegedly said, "We are the masters now," a phrase that came to haunt him.
I 1946, da man drøftede ophævelse af anti-fagforeningslove i det Underhuset, at Shawcross angiveligt sagde: "We are the masters now", en sætning, der kom til at forfølge ham.