Aside from what's already been said the statement about pumping the accelerator has me puzzled and if fact may be contributing to the stubborness to start. If you have SU carbs, the is no accelerator pump on the carbs. When you press the accelerator you are just opening the throttle disc which allows more air into the combustion chamber, when, if the engine is cold, is the opposite of what is needed. You'll need a rich mixture as provided by the choke and the choke, when engaged, opens the throttle disc to the correct opening without you pressing the accelerator pedal.
Do that with a properly tuned engine and she should fire right up at around 11-1200 rpms.