The First and Second Labour Governments

INTRODUCTION TO THE LABOUR PARTY

• 1900: Labour Representation Committee in four groups:
  • ILP: Independent Labour Party (more radical socialism)
    
  • the Fabians (middle-class intellectuals, distrusted by working class)
  • Trade Unions (not totally committed - preferred direct industrial action: strikes)
  • the Social Democratic Foundation (withdrew 1901)
    • working-class interests
    • one of MacDonald's main achievements was to unite these groups - effective political force
• Outbreak of war 1914, Labour = 'younger brother' of the Liberal party who were the traditional party of reform
• December 1918 election= Labour enjoyed breakthrough as a major party, winning 63 seats
• Through war, MacDonald = criticised for pacifists stance - resigned as leader
  • However by the end of the war, more sympathise with his view and admired his principled stand
• Henderson through the war, first ever cabinet minister when he joined the coaltion government in 1915 = more recognition
  • Managed to keep different groups together, MacDonald still in committee
  • Resigned when LG refused him a place at a socialist peace conference, Stockholm 1917
• After the war = MacDonald & Henderson = portraying Labour as a responsible/moderate party
  • Support for disarmament and the League of Nations chimed well w public
  • Rejected associations with Bolsheviks, Communist Party - impressed voters
• New consitution, Feb 1918:
  • Party Executive - views of Trade Unions, socialist societies, local Labour parties and women's organisations
  • Membership - individuals could become members without affiliation to a union or socialist society
  • Local Labour Party - replaced exisiting local organisations, nationwide network of groups to concentrate on winning votes @ election periods: 500 groups by 1923
• Programmed based on Sidney Webb's "Labour and the New Social Order"
  • National Minimum: full employment, minimum wage, working conditions, 48 hours max
  • Financial Reform: heavy taxation of the rich to finance social welfare
  • Surplus for the common good: balance of nation's wealth tp be spent on educational/cutural experiences for all
  • Democratic control of industry: nationalisation of key industries, Clause 4
• Rise continued with the 1922 election: 2nd largest party (1st time)
  • Significant opposition to Cons
  • January 1924, due to Baldwin's Protection: Plymouth Oct 1923

JAMES RAMSAY MACDONALD

Background

• Poverty, Scottish
  
• Joined ILP in 1894
• Sec of LRC in 1900
• MP of Leicester in 1906
• 1911-1914: Leader of Parliamentary Labour Party
• LOst seat 1918, re-elected 1922

Personality and Policies

• Dignified, intelligent, fine orator
  
• Experience in administration and leadership
• Passionate socialsist, though moderate and wanted to restrain extreme elements of party
• Remote, suspicious of colleagues
• Adopted policies in ministry, 1924:
  • Autocratic leadership: determined not to be constrained, took little advice from senior colleages
  • Moderate policies: he knew it was important to "gain the confidence of the country"
  • Refused to cooperate with Liberals: wanted to assert Labour's maturity and fitness to govern: LIberals = "a corspe encumbering the ground", refused to consider any formal agreements with Libs - isolation of LIbs further

MacDonald's Cabinet:

• Only two men with cabinet experience, lacked experience and relied on the expertise of civil servants who weren't keen on socialist programmes
  
• Safe choices: only one left-wing socialist (John Wheatley (Minister of…