British History: British Socialism/Origins of the Labour Party

What was the Lyons v Wilkins case & its implications for unions?

This case's ruling made picketing illegal, even if its peaceful, major setback for the rising New Unions. This made unions more interested in political representation to tackle these legal issues

When was the Lyons v Wilkins case?

1896

What was set up following the Lyons v Wilkins case?

The Labour Representation Committee, this was a body of independent political representation for workers, aiming to secure the election of MPs to directly represent the working class

Which groups comprised the Labour Representation Committee? How many representatives of each group?

Trade unions (7), The Independent Labour Party (2), the Fabians (1) and the Social Democratic Federation (2)

When was the LRC set up?

1900

How many MPs did the LRC return in the 1900 general election? (despite only being set up for a short time)

They put forward 15 and returned 2 (shows they were an eminent threat to the liberals/cons, gaining the W/C vote

Which factors in the 1890s increased tensions between workers and employers?

Economic hardship (inflation), increased strike actions and increased trade union militancy

What did the Trade Union Congress vote in 1897?

To give the TUC more power to take an increasingly militant route

How did model unions change in the 1890s?

They were previously not interested in political representation because they supported the Liberals, BUT after Lyons v Wilkins and increased worker/employer hostility (lockouts) they became interested in politics and begin to work alongside new (working class) unions.

What is a lockout?

When employers stop employees from entering/working in a workplace until they accept unfair terms of a contract. This eventually starves them into accepting it as they can't earn wages during a lockout. Employers bring in 'black legs' to work during lockouts

In the 1906 general election how many seats did the LRC win?

30 seats (big increase in little time)

Example of a Model Union?

Amalgamated Society of Engineers, highly skilled better paid working class union

Examples of New Unions (working class)

Dockers Union, National Union of Dock Labourers, Gasworkers Union, National Sailors and Firemen's Union

Who were the Social Democratic Federation (1881)?

Revolutionary, Marxist, want a violent overthrow of the existing order

Who were the Fabian Socialists (1884)?

Upper Class intellectuals, want gradual change, quite detached from the actual working class

Who were the Independent Labour Party (1893)?

Strongly trade union linked, non-conformist Christian, wanted labour representation in the House of Commons

Example of Model Unions (ASE) becoming more militant in the 1890s?

The Amalgamated Society of Engineers became militant and went on strike

In 1892 general election how many independent labour candidates won?

3 candidates, this showed potential for a Labour party early on

What did the TUC vote in 1899 on politics?

The TUC votes (narrowly) in favour of seeking more political representation

What was the Taff Vale case? What were its implications for trade unions?

The Taff Vale case was when a railway company successfully sued its workers for £43,000 for economic damages during a strike. This meant that trade unions were doomed as even a successful strike would bankrupt even the wealthier (model) unions

Did the LRC initially receive support from trade unions?

No, trade unions were reluctant. The very big coal and cotton unions voted against setting up the LRC and so did not affiliate initially.

Who were notable members of the ILP?

Keir Hardie, Tom Mann (dockers leader), MacDonald (first Labour PM) and Snowden (eventual Labour chancellor)

Which decision showed the ILP was not strongly socialist in nature?

They avoided the word socialist in their name, socialism was not all that politically popular

Evidence that the LRC was becoming increasingly relevant?

They entered an progressive alliance with the Liberals by 1903

Evidence that the LRC was not strongly socialist in nature?

It was dominated by trade unions in numbers (7, they were majority) they were mainly concerned with trade union matters and not socialism, socialist was not in the name, from 1906-1913 there was a heavy focus on trade union legislation NOT overthrowing the system

When was the Osbourne judgement stopping trade unions giving a political levy to the Labour party?

1909

Acts achieved partially the LRC from 1906-1913:

Trade Disputes Act 1906 (reverses Taff Vale), Trade Union Act 1911 (reverses Osbourne judgement), Payment of MPs Act 1911 (helps w/c parliamentary representation)

Negatives to the 'progressive alliance' with the liberals?

Labour was very much the junior partner in the alliance, the Liberals were greatly focused on their own crises (strikes, suffrage, Ireland) instead of helping Labour

What was the organisation which organised the m/c to break strikes?

National Free Labour Association

How did industrial relations change in the 1890s?

There was backlash against trade unions from employers who saw the successes of trade unions as infringing on their management

Was the progressive alliance public?

NO- it was a secret pact

Why did Labour do well in 1906?

The alliance with the Liberals helped them a lot

What was the nature of the Labour party during 1906-1914?

A trade union party dominated

What was the Labour party's stance on the Liberal government's social reforms from 1906-1911?

They criticised the lack of generosity with national insurance

Which party did the coal miners federation union support in the Edwardian period?

The LIBERALS--!!!! trade unions reluctant to form a trade union party and averse to socialism