rise of labour

Origins and Union Links

• Labour evolved from the Labour Representation Committee (founded by the TUC in 1900).

• Strongly tied to trade unions, who used the party to advance workers’ pay and conditions.

• By 1906, Labour had nearly one million affiliated members and 29 MPs.

• After the 1910 election, Labour had 40 MPs.

• 1911: Liberal government introduced wages for MPs, making it easier for working‑class candidates to enter Parliament (previously only the wealthy could afford to serve).

Impact of the 1918 Representation of the People Act

• Electorate expanded from 7.7 million to 21.4 million.

• Dramatically increased Labour’s potential voter base.

• Industrial working‑class voters now formed the majority of the electorate.

• Labour was well‑positioned to benefit from this expansion.

Nature of the Government

• Led by Ramsay MacDonald in 1924.

• A minority government, dependent on Liberal support to pass legislation.

• Its election alarmed Conservative‑supporting newspapers (e.g., The Times).

• Labour emphasised moderation and commitment to parliamentary democracy.

• Opponents compared Labour to Soviet Russia, claiming possible Soviet sympathisers in the cabinet.

Internal Difficultie

• MacDonald faced strained relations with Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC).

• Forced to make harsh economic decisions affecting the poorest voters.

• Had to manage threats of industrial action.

• Party criticised him for not being radical enough.

• As a minority PM, any radical programme would have lost Liberal support and collapsed the governmen

Campbell Case - not needed ?

• Government collapsed after a motion of no confidence in autumn 1924.

• Triggered by the decision of Attorney General Sir Patrick Hastings to drop charges of incitement to mutiny against the socialist newspaper Workers’ Weekly.

• The article by John Ross Campbell urged soldiers to:

• “Refuse to shoot down your fellow workers!”

• “Refuse to fight for profits!”

• “Turn your weapons on your oppressors!”

Collapse of the First Labour Governmen

Political Fallout

• On 6 August, under pressure from Labour backbenchers, the prosecution was withdrawn.

• Conservatives and Liberals accused MacDonald of secret communist sympathies.

• Accusations intensified because MacDonald was simultaneously trying to normalise relations with the Soviet Union.

Final Trigger

• A second motion demanded an official inquiry into the withdrawal of charges.

• MacDonald lost the political support he needed.

• Forced to resign and call a general election.