Labour's First Century

The Labour Party’s centenary is an appropriate moment to evaluate its performance across the twentieth century, and to reflect on why a party which has so many achievements to its credit nonetheless spent so much of the period in opposition. This is the only book that attempts such an assessment. Duncan Tanner, Pat Thane and Nick Tiratsoo have assembled a team of acknowledged experts who cover a wide range of key issues, from economic policy to gender. The editors also provide a lucid, accessible introduction. Labour’s First Century covers the most important areas of party policy and practice, always placing these in a broader context. Taken together, these essays challenge those who minimize the party’s contribution, whilst they also explain why mistakes and weaknesses have occurred. Everyone interested in British political history - whether supporters or opponents of the Labour Party - will need to read Labour’s First Century.

The Labour Party's centenary is an appropriate moment to evaluate its performance across the twentieth century, and to reflect on why a party which has so many achievements to its credit nonetheless spent so much of the period in opposition. Duncan Tanner, Pat Thane and Nick Tiratsoo have assembled a team of acknowledged experts who cover a wide range of key issues, from economic policy to gender. The editors also provide a lucid, accessible introduction. Labour's First Century covers the most important areas of party policy and practice, always placing these in a broader context. Taken together, these essays challenge those who minimize the party's contribution, whilst they also explain why mistakes and weaknesses have occurred. Everyone interested in British political history - whether supporters or opponents of the Labour Party - will need to read Labour's First Century.

List of illustrations; Acknowledgements; Notes on contributors; Introduction Duncan Tanner, Pat Thane and Nick Tiratsoo; 1. Labour's political and social thought Jose Harris; 2. Labour and the economy Jim Tomlinson; 3. Labour and welfare Pat Thane; 4. Labour and international affairs Stephen Howe; 5. Labour and the constitution Miles Taylor; 6. Labour and gender Martin Francis; 7. Labour and the trade unions Alastair J. Reid; 8. Labour and its membership Duncan Tanner; 9. Labour and the electorate Nick Tiratsoo; 10. Labour in comparative perspective Stefan Berger; 11. Labour - the myths it has lived by Jon Lawrence; 12. New Labour and the past Steven Fielding; Appendix I. Labour and the electorate, 1900–97; Appendix II. Labour Party membership; Index.

Labour's First Century is an exciting history of the Labour Party since its formation in 1900. Written by a team of experts, it covers the most important areas of party policy and practice, and will be essential reading for anyone interested in British politics.