1900-1906 Position Of Labour

Question 1

Lib Lab Pact

Answer 1

• The Lib/Lab pact benefited Labour allowing them to gain 29 seats between 1900-1907
• Liberals did not oppose Labour in 30 constituencies so the anti-Tory vote would not be split

Question 2

Alliance with Liberals

Answer 2

• The Labour party leadership was moderate and radical socialist ideals were confined to the extreme fringes of the movement
• Liberal/Labour joint campaigns against the 1902 Education Act and ‘Chinese Slavery’ reinforced this

Question 3

How many seats did Labour gain in the 1906 election

Answer 3

29

Question 4

Growth of Labour at grass roots level

Answer 4

Between 1906-1914 trade union membership rose from 900,000 to 1.5 million

Question 5

Osbourne Judgement

Answer 5

In 1909, Walter Osborne (a Liberal), challenged the right of his union to demand the political levy.

Compulsory levies charged by Trade Unions went to pay Labour MP’s salaries - and would damage the parties finances

Question 6

Internal Issues

Answer 6

The new MP’s were working men with little formal education or administrative experience

The 30 MPs did not form a cohesive body as it consisted of socialists and trade union officials as opposed to practiced politicians

Question 7

Credibility of Ideals

Answer 7

The Independent Labour Party criticised the Labour party in Westminster for not having a programme independent from that of the Liberals

As the Liberals turned into a party of reform there was question as to whether Labour was needed